If you don’t have health insurance, you’ll have another chance starting this weekend to sign up on the health exchange, the online marketplace for health insurance.
The open enrollment period opens this Saturday, November 15th, and runs through February 15th.
Many hospitals and health care providers offer help signing up.
Ellen Humberston, Certified Application Counselor at the Bridge Community Health Clinic says there are several enrollment sessions where people can get help.
“And so that’s where certified application counselors will be visiting different city hubs in the different counties that we serve, and making sure people have access to free assistance.”
In order to buy coverage that will start January 1st, you have to sign up by December 15th.
And Humberston says even if you signed up for health insurance on the exchange last year, you still may need to go onto the exchange and update your information.
“And it will re-determine what your tax credit will be. And there might be better plans on there, there might be new companies entering onto the marketplace, so highly recommend everyone just get on marketplace and just check over the details.”
The penalty for not having health coverage next year will be substantially higher than it is this year: it will rise to $325 dollars or 2 percent of your income, whichever is higher.
You can also call 2-1-1 for help finding a session near you.
Vilas
Eagle River: located at Walter E. Olson Memorial Library
December 12th: 12 -5 pm
February 13th: 12-7 pm
Oneida
Rhinelander: located at Rhinelander Public Library
December 5th: 11 am-6 pm
January 15th: 12-6 pm
Minocqua: located at Minocqua Public Library
December 9th: 11 am- 6pm
February 4th: 12-7 pm
Lincoln
Merrill: located at Merrill Library
November 20th: 3:30-7:30 pm
December 11th: 10 am- 3 pm
January 8th: 9 am- 2 pm
January 24th: 10 am- 2 pm
February 9th: 3-7 pm
Tomahawk: located at Tomahawk Public Library
December 10th: 11 am-6 pm
January 29th: 11 am-6 pm
Marathon
Wausau:
by appointment at the Bridge Community Health Clinic (call 715-261-2123)
December 2nd: 10 am-2 pm at the Boys and Girls Club in Wausau—insurance providers will be present to answer questions as well as representatives from health care providers. Certified Application Counselors will also be present to help consumers apply and enroll in Marketplace.
Abbotsford/Colby: located at the Abbotsford City Hall
November 22nd: 10 am-6 pm
February 5th: 11 am- 7 pm
