The City of Bloomington will offer free assistance to those who want to enroll in a health insurance plan through President Obama’s health care law.
The event will take place 5-7 p.m. Jan. 24 in the Monroe County Public Library. Enrollment for plans through the Health Insurance Marketplace ends Jan. 31.
The city is working with Affiliated Service Providers of Indiana Navigators, IU Health Individual Solutions and South Central Community Action Program’s Covering Kids and Families, according to the release.
Health insurance plans through the marketplace require re-enrollment each year.
Though President-elect Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress have made promises to repeal and replace “Obamacare,” health projects coordinator Nancy Woolery said she is hopeful people who enroll this year will be able to keep their insurance throughout 2017.
“I know a lot of people are nervous about it, but the best thing to do is get health insurance,” Woolery said. “Repeal and replace won’t happen overnight, but we can’t be certain.”
Certified Indiana Navigators, assistants for those who need help enrolling, will be at the event to help enrollees and answer questions, according to a release from the city. Information on 2017 Health Insurance Marketplace plans, Indiana Medicaid, Hoosier Healthwise and the Healthy Indiana Plan will be available. People may enroll in state plans at anytime.
The city asks applicants to provide Social Security numbers; birth dates; household income; and documents, such as a driver’s license, U.S. passport and immigration status, to verify identity. Those who have previously used a marketplace account should bring their login information.
Woolery said the city has not done many open enrollment events but has invited insurance companies and provided a list of places to receive help at previous events.
About 169,000 people in Indiana have health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace as of Dec. 13, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Nationally 20 million people have received health insurance through “Obamacare” since it was implemented in 2010.
Though many would potentially lose insurance if Congress repeals “Obamacare,” Woolery said she emphasizes people need to be covered for the time being.
“We just don’t want people to not have insurance,” Woolery said.
