On Thursday, December 16th, representatives will be available for free, in-person ACA Marketplace Health Insurance enrollment or re-enrollment assistance at the Bridgeport Conference Center located at 300 Conference Center Way, Bridgeport. This event will be hosted by WV Navigator, a federally funded non-profit program operated by First Choice Services. Appointments are not necessary – walk-ins will be taken all day between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. 

 

Any West Virginia resident will be able to come to the event to get free enrollment or re-enrollment help for Marketplace plans. Representatives will be able to answer questions and provide information on who qualifies for financial assistance and how much applicants may receive.  

 

Anyone who is not eligible for insurance through Medicare, Medicaid, or employer-based insurance is eligible to purchase insurance under the Affordable Care Act’s provisions. New rules under the American Rescue Plan Act have expanded subsidies and lowered monthly premiums. This year, 4 out of 5 will qualify for a plan at less than $10 per month. Even most high-income earners will now be able to qualify for the lower-cost plans. 

 

“Most people will be able to qualify for substantially lower costs this year if they get their insurance on the Marketplace,” said Jeremy Smith, program director for WV Navigator. “We are really urging people to look at the new plans and prices that are being released this year. In a lot of cases, the plans are more affordable than we have ever seen. Even if you have looked into insurance on the Marketplace in past years and were not very happy, you should definitely look into it again this year.” Smith says getting help signing up is important, as many people are overwhelmed by the options or may not realize how to shop for affordable health coverage.

 

For those that want coverage on January 1st, the deadline to enroll in the program is December 15th. For anyone not able to attend the event on December 16th, WV Navigator will be holding more enrollment events across the state, including one in Wheeling on December 15th. WV Navigator is also able to provide enrollment assistance over the phone or in person in their offices in Fairmont, Charleston, Huntington, and Martinsburg. The annual open enrollment period for 2022 will run from November 1st, 2021 to January 15th, 2022. If you miss the enrollment deadline, you may not be able to get coverage again until 2023. 

 

Information is available by calling (304) 356-5834 or visiting the website at www.acanavigator.com.