San Rafael, CA – People eager to sign up for health insurance are getting a break from the Health Care Exchange, otherwise known as Covered California.
The exchange is allowing consumers who had trouble enrolling by the March 31 deadline to work with a certified delegate and finish applications by April 15. Anyone who created an online account and started the application is eligible to receive assistance in finishing the process. Counties can accept applications from customers who indicate that they tried to apply but were unable to start an application because of high volumes on the Covered California website.
Also, Covered California announced that certified enrollment counselors, County eligibility workers, certified insurance agents and plan-based enrollers who were helping consumers apply online may now assist the consumers with a paper application. The service assistant can then enter the information into the enrollment website.
All legal residents in the United States were required to have health insurance as of January 2014 as part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Applicants with pre-existing medical conditions can no longer be denied coverage. The ACA does not affect coverage for people with health insurance provided through their employer or through Medicare.
Staff members from Marin County Health and Human Services (HHS), with the support of the Marin County Board of Supervisors, have worked to implement new coverage by adding eligibility workers and streamlining services. County staff held dozens of meetings and public presentations about health insurance options and remains committed to help everyone who is eligible to obtain insurance.
Visit coveredmarin.org to get the most current information about ACA implementation in Marin. Call 473-3400 for more information from Marin HHS.