KCH Counselors Offer Insurance Enrollment Help
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Staff Report-
Under the Affordable Care Act, 2015 is the first year Americans must prove they had qualifying health insurance (or an approved exemption) for the previous year (when filing 2014 taxes), or face a tax penalty.
As a service to the community, KCH is holding open walk-in sessions Jan. 13, 20, 27 and Feb. 10 in the hospital front lobby from 3 to 6:30 p.m. to assist anyone with their questions or sign up.
For 2015, if you don’t obtain insurance by Feb. 15, the last day of the Open Enrollment period, the penalty will be applied to your annual taxable income for each full month you don’t have health insurance in 2015. The penalty fee is $325 per adult, $162.50 per child – up to $975 per family or 2 percent of family income, whichever is higher. And, without insurance, you will be financially responsible for all of your medical costs.
The press release states that the good news is based on household income and dependents, some individuals may qualify for financial assistance from the government – or subsidies – toward the cost of the premium and other financial obligations like co-pays or deductibles.
“This is where KCH can help the uninsured in our community,” Stephen R. Miller, CEO at Kosciusko Community Hospital, is quoted as saying in the press release. “With many people lacking access to a computer or just need help maneuvering through the enrollment website, our application counselors can help. We can assist individuals and their families evaluate the available health plans and determine if they’re eligible for Medicaid or other insurance options.”
In all states, Medicaid provides health coverage for some low-income people, families and children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities. In some states, the program covers all low-income adults below a certain income level.
“Even though Indiana has chosen not to expand Medicaid at this time, there are still many individuals in our community who qualify for Medicaid coverage,” explained Miller. “We can help screen these individuals and if they qualify, we can enroll them at any time, with health coverage beginning immediately.”
“Let us help take the frustration out of the enrollment process. Call us at 574-372-7690 before February 15 to help you get a healthy start to the New Year,” said Veronica Bayles, KCH registration director.[[In-content Ad]]
Under the Affordable Care Act, 2015 is the first year Americans must prove they had qualifying health insurance (or an approved exemption) for the previous year (when filing 2014 taxes), or face a tax penalty.
As a service to the community, KCH is holding open walk-in sessions Jan. 13, 20, 27 and Feb. 10 in the hospital front lobby from 3 to 6:30 p.m. to assist anyone with their questions or sign up.
For 2015, if you don’t obtain insurance by Feb. 15, the last day of the Open Enrollment period, the penalty will be applied to your annual taxable income for each full month you don’t have health insurance in 2015. The penalty fee is $325 per adult, $162.50 per child – up to $975 per family or 2 percent of family income, whichever is higher. And, without insurance, you will be financially responsible for all of your medical costs.
The press release states that the good news is based on household income and dependents, some individuals may qualify for financial assistance from the government – or subsidies – toward the cost of the premium and other financial obligations like co-pays or deductibles.
“This is where KCH can help the uninsured in our community,” Stephen R. Miller, CEO at Kosciusko Community Hospital, is quoted as saying in the press release. “With many people lacking access to a computer or just need help maneuvering through the enrollment website, our application counselors can help. We can assist individuals and their families evaluate the available health plans and determine if they’re eligible for Medicaid or other insurance options.”
In all states, Medicaid provides health coverage for some low-income people, families and children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities. In some states, the program covers all low-income adults below a certain income level.
“Even though Indiana has chosen not to expand Medicaid at this time, there are still many individuals in our community who qualify for Medicaid coverage,” explained Miller. “We can help screen these individuals and if they qualify, we can enroll them at any time, with health coverage beginning immediately.”
“Let us help take the frustration out of the enrollment process. Call us at 574-372-7690 before February 15 to help you get a healthy start to the New Year,” said Veronica Bayles, KCH registration director.[[In-content Ad]]
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