Health-access groups gearing up for a last-minute Affordable Care Act consumers

With just 15 health-insurance shopping days left this year, groups across the region are gearing up for a last-minute blitz of Affordable Care Act consumers.

Resources for Human Development, the Pennsylvania Health Access Network, and Get Covered America are all expecting waves of 11th-hour buyers to exceed the throng of clients they helped in the days leading to December's deadline to be insured by Jan. 1.

"We doubled the amount of folks that were coming into our office and calling us" before Dec. 23, said Antoinette Kraus, director of the Health Access Network. "We expect that that will only increase as we move to the March 31 deadline."

But as the days dwindle down and the number of people enrolled tops 4 million, many are still confused by the law and the negative rhetoric around it.

"There is still an awful lot of misinformation floating around," said Bill England, Pennsylvania director of Get Covered America. "It's the biggest problem we have."

In some cases people think that they aren't eligible to enroll online or that coverage is unaffordable. Others are surprised to learn there are subsidies available to defray premium costs or that navigators and certified counselors can help them enroll. Still others are unaware that the marketplace closes shop for the year on March 31.

"There is this information out there that health insurance is too expensive, you won't be able to afford it and it's not a good plan," Kraus said. "In reality, most people are getting financial assistance and every plan has to cover 10 essential health benefits. They are getting good-quality plans."

The same goes for England's group, where most people are getting subsidies and getting premium payments ranging from 12 cents to $100 a month. "A lot of people are pleasantly surprised," he said.

Both groups have also helped people with limited computer literacy who are often reluctant to enter personal information into a computer. The answer there, Kraus said, is the telephone and healthcare.gov's toll-free 800 number.

There are multiple ways to sign up, Kraus said. "There is in-person assistance, the 800 number that folks can use, or they can go directly to the [healthcare.gov] website."

You'll need to take along documents - your federal income tax form, a 1099 or W-2 - and know several numbers, starting with your Social Security number. You'll also need an estimate of the total household income. Remember, you are estimating your 2014 income, not reporting your 2013 salary.

"Make sure your name on your account matches the name on your Social Security card," said Kate Kozeniewski, RHD's coordinator. "Triple-check that . . . before going on to the next page, because making changes can cause errors."

Kraus and England said their groups have had the most success signing up people when they are present in a community. A side benefit is they can also dispel rumors firsthand. "The best way to get people enrolled is to be where they are, at the library around the corner from someone's house," said Kraus, whose group also works with In-Serve PA, a group of counselors who link folks to in-person assistance.

People visiting a Get Covered location fill out a follow-up contact card. At last count, Get Covered has recontacted more than 5,000 uninsured Pennsylvanians. And calling them where they are seems to work as well as being where they are. "We are finding that the more contacts we have with people, the more likely they are to take action," England said.

Get Covered America has events daily for the rest of the month. "We're telling people don't wait until March 30 or 31" to enroll, England said. "It's going to be crazy busy. Start the process now."

Federal

1-800-318-2596

Pennsylvania

Resources for Human Development

855-668-9536

Congreso

215-763-8870

Get Covered America operates in Pa. and N.J.

No hotline; find events at GetCoveredAmerica.org

In-Serve PA

855-486-9331

The Health Federation of Philadelphia

215-567-8001

Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania

267-507-3894

Philadelphia Health Access Network

1-877-570-3642

New Jersey

Center for Family Services

1-877-9ACCESS

(1-877-922-2377)

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