Blog: City Blog

ACA Enrollment Open Nov. 1 to Dec. 15

The Affordable Care Act’s Health Insurance Marketplace enrollment period began today (Nov. 1) and remains open for sign-ups through Dec.15, 2018.

Enrollees are signing up for 2019 health benefits, which include additional plans since the 2018 enrollment. Free assistance is available at nine area sign-up events to help individuals and families decide if the program is right for them.

Vice Mayor Finbarr Saunders kicked off the first enrollment fair at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, joined by volunteers and community representatives. Vice Mayor Saunders advised attendees that there are look-alike plans being advertised that are not the official government plans. These plans may not offer the subsidies that are provided to low income enrollees by the official government program at Healthcare.gov.

Also, according to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), "scammers may pose as government representatives to steal your identity." The BBB reminds consumers that people representing ACA plans will not contact you by phone, email, or in person, unless you are already enrolled. For more tips, read here.

Vice Mayor Saunders

Vice Mayor Finbarr Saunders and Cherokee Health representative Derek Folson welcome volunteers at the Nov. 1 ACA enrollment kickoff at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church

Throughout November and early December, enrollment and re-enrollment events are scheduled at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, 1807 Dandridge Ave.; Cherokee Health Systems, 2018 Western Ave.; and South Knox Community Center, 522 Maryville Pike.

At these enrollment events, trained counselors will be on hand to provide free assistance to people who want to apply for health coverage. Counselors can also answer questions about possible "look-alike" plans that are offered by private companies but are not part of the official ACA Health Insurance Marketplace. For more information, visit www.knoxvilletn.gov/ACA or call 211.

Additional information is available at www.HealthCare.gov, the federal government website, or by calling 1-800-318-2596 or TTY 1-855-889-4325.

For other assistance opportunities or to schedule an appointment, call Cherokee Health Systems at 866-672-1979.

Anyone wishing to enroll will need these documents:
- Social Security numbers (or documentation of legal status);
- Employer and income information for every household member to be covered (pay stubs or W-2 forms are acceptable); and
- If renewing, you must bring your User Name and Password.

Upcoming events:

Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, 1807 Dandridge Ave.
 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 10
 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 1

Cherokee Health Systems, 2018 Western Ave.
 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 3
 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 17
 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 8
 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 15

South Knox Community Center, 522 Maryville Pike
 3-7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 15
 3-7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 29
 3-7 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 13

Posted by On 02 November, 2018 at 4:19 PM