RLC, Jefferson County Health Dept. offering help to sign up for Affordable Care Act

MT. VERNON, Ill. (Nov. 26, 2013) - The Jefferson County Health Department is hosting a workshop at the Rend Lake College MarketPlace in Mt. Vernon aimed at enabling uninsured local residents to sign up for insurance as required by the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

A representative of the JCHD will be on hand Thursday, Dec. 12, Room 338 of the RLC MarketPlace in Mt. Vernon to assist enrollees with clarification and questions. Times will run from 8:30 a.m.-noon and from 1-4:30 p.m. People will be able to use the computers provided in the room to enroll. Coverage begins in the Health Insurance Marketplace on Jan. 1, 2014.

Judy McLaughlin of the JCHD said to get coverage starting Jan. 1, 2014, individuals must enroll and pay the first month’s premium by Dec. 23. Those interested should bring their 2012 taxes, or a month’s worth of paystubs, when enrolling. Knowing the social security numbers for all individuals in a household will also be helpful in the enrollment process. A green card will be accepted in place of a social security number.

“Typically, it takes about one hour to get through the enrollment process, but some of that time involves creating an email account if they don’t already have one,” said McLaughlin. “Also, they have to create a user ID and password. If someone already has insurance, then they don’t need to apply; this is for those who are uninsured or do not have access to insurance through their employment.”

Individuals can continue to enroll in the Healthcare Marketplace until March 31, 2014; however, enrollment after Dec. 23 will delay coverage from starting until May 2014.

“If they do not enroll by that date (March 31, 2014), then they will have to wait until open enrollment again, which will be October 7 through December 15, 2014,” said McLaughlin. “Those eligible for Medicaid will be able to enroll throughout the year.”

To get ahead of the game, individuals can go online to www.getcoveredillinois.gov and start the process by creating an account. Get Covered Illinois is a health insurance push from Dec. 7 through Dec. 23 to get people enrolled through Medicaid or Marketplace for the ACA.

For more information, contact the Jefferson County Health Department at 618-244-7134.