With the first official 2022 ACA Open Enrollment Period deadline approaching on December 15th, I've decided to something special this Sunday, December 12th: I'll be holding a Zoom "ACA 101" webinar at 6:00pm Eastern to go over the basics of the ACA along with answering questions about the ongoing Open Enrollment Period.
I'll spend around half an hour or so going over the history and basics of the ACA (including some of its major benefits as well as some of its shortcomings), plus the important improvements brought to the Affordable Care Act for 2022 thanks to the American Rescue Plan.
The rest of the time will be for Q&A and general discussion of how to take full advantage of getting the best possible value.
The virtual tour will reach into media markets across California to promote open enrollment and the increased financial help that is now available, which is lowering the cost of coverage for more people than ever before.
An estimated 1.1 million Californians are uninsured and eligible for financial help, including 83,000 in San Diego County, with the vast majority able to get coverage at no cost through either Covered California or Medi-Cal.
New data from Covered California shows how much protection and peace of mind insurance provides, with the uninsured facing staggering out-of-pocket costs if they visit an emergency room or are admitted into a hospital.
People who want their coverage to start on Jan. 1, 2022, must sign up by Dec. 31, 2021. Covered California’s open-enrollment period runs through Jan. 31, 2022.
Consumers Must Renew or Enroll by December 15 for January 1 Coverage
Expanded Tax Credits and Financial Assistance Available for 2022 Plans
Customer Service Hours Extended to Help New Yorkers Enroll
ALBANY, N.Y. (December 7, 2021) - NY State of Health, the state’s official health plan Marketplace, today announced that the deadline is fast approaching for New Yorkers who want coverage in a Qualified Health Plan (QHP) by the start of the 2022 New Year. Consumers must renew or enroll in a health plan through NY State of Health by December 15, 2021, for coverage starting January 1, 2022. The Open Enrollment Period for QHPs started November 16 and will run until January 31, 2022.
Connecticut residents can work one-on-one with enrollment specialists to help them shop, compare and enroll in quality health insurance
HARTFORD, Conn. (Dec. 3, 2021)—Access Health CT (AHCT) today announced it will host three enrollment fairs in December to help Connecticut residents get free, in-person help to shop, compare and enroll in quality health insurance plans. Enrollment fairs are one-day events in addition to Access Health CT’s five other enrollment locations and Navigator partner locations where Connecticut residents can find free, in-person help now and until Open Enrollment ends Jan. 15, 2022.
All in-person enrollment fairs will be held from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the following locations:
DENVER- December 8, 2021, is Get Covered Colorado Day. The day of action is to encourage as many Coloradans as possible to enroll in 2022 health coverage during the annual Open Enrollment Period. Open Enrollment is the time of year to renew your health plan, change plans or sign up for a plan if you’re uninsured. This year, more residents shopping through Colorado’s health insurance exchange, Connect for Health Colorado, can expect increased plan choice and even more health insurance savings.
“Ensuring every Coloradan has access to high-quality, affordable health care has been a primary focus of our Administration since day one,” said Lt. Governor and Director of the Office of Saving People Money on Health Care Dianne Primavera. “Get Covered Colorado Day is the perfect opportunity for uninsured Coloradans to sign up, or to remind friends and family that they can save money on their health care by shopping for plans on Connect for Health Colorado.”
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of the Health Insurance Marketplace (OHIM) today released an update on plan selections through CoverME.gov, Maine’s new Health Insurance Marketplace.
OHIM provided the first update on November 18 and will continue updates every two weeks throughout open enrollment, which began on November 1, 2021 and ends on January 15, 2022.
Since the start of open enrollment through November 27 on CoverME.gov:
In week four of the 2022 Open Enrollment Period, over 37,000 New Mexicans have an active plan selection. This includes 4,698 existing enrollees who chose a new plan or actively chose to keep their current plan, 2,505 new consumers, and 30,509 passive re-enrollees. There were also 8,061 dental plan selections. Consistent with CMS, enrollment weeks are measured Sunday through Saturday.
Passive enrollees were handled earlier for this year to support the transition from Healthcare.gov to New Mexico’s solution. This offers additional time for payment to ensure that New Mexicans who have a plan stay covered. Individuals can still shop, compare, and change their plan.
The headline choice in this Nevada Health Link press release confused me a bit at first when I saw the larger number later on, but I sorted it out:
Nevada Health Link Enrolls 17,452 Nevadans in First Month of Open Enrollment Period
CARSON CITY, NV) – Nearly 17,452 Nevadans have actively enrolled in qualified health insurance plans within the first 30 days of open enrollment through Nevada Health Link. The Open Enrollment Period (OEP) for the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange (Exchange), Nevada’s state agency that helps individuals get connected to affordable health and dental coverage, began on November 1, 2021 and runs through January 15, 2022.
The key phrasing here is "actively enrolled." The 17,452 figure only includes new enrollees or current enrollees who have actively logged into their account and selected a new plan (or renewed their existing one) for 2022. It doesn't include current enrollees who have been auto-renewed.
Certified Enrollment Assistors will be On Site at Libraries Across NYC to Help New Yorkers Enroll in Quality, Affordable Health Coverage
ALBANY, N.Y. (December 02, 2021) – NY State of Health, the state’s official health plan Marketplace, today announced that NY State of Health Certified Enrollment Assistors will be available at NY Public Libraries across New York City to educate New Yorkers about enrolling in quality, affordable health coverage. Certified Enrollment Assistors can provide in person assistance at more than 10 libraries throughout December and January to answer questions, make appointments and help with enrollment. Details are available here.
Maine DHHS Releases First CoverME.gov Open Enrollment Snapshot
AUGUSTA— The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of the Health Insurance Marketplace (OHIM) announced today that 8,278 Mainers have selected plans for affordable health coverage in 2022 through CoverME.gov, Maine’s new Health Insurance Marketplace, during the first two weeks of Open Enrollment from November 1-13. This includes 862 new and 7,416 returning consumers.
At CoverME.gov, Maine people can compare plans, apply for financial assistance, and enroll in a 2022 health plan.
