Samuel U. Rogers hosts event to help residents sign up for coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace

Northeast News
December 3, 2013

Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center (SURHC) will be participating in a statewide campaign to help residents enroll in affordable health care coverage through the new Health Insurance Marketplace, developed under the Affordable Care Act.

The event, known as “Stop, Shop and Enroll,” is an initiative designed to make choosing a health insurance plan easy for consumers. SURHC has elected to participate for two days – Thursday,
Dec. 5 and Friday, Dec. 6 – by hosting an enrollment fair to help residents without access to job-based insurance find the insurance plan that is right for them.

The enrollment event will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at SURHC’s Downtown Campus located at 825 Euclid Ave., Kansas City, Mo. “Stop, Shop and Enroll” is open to the public.

SURHC has four trained counselors who will be available to guide people through the online application process. Counselors can help with setting up an account, filling out the application and choosing a health plan that meets the family’s needs and fits their budget. Most people will be eligible for subsidies that make insurance affordable at nearly every income level. Applicants cannot be turned down because of an existing health condition.

A single, non-smoking man or woman with an income of $16,200, can buy an insurance policy on par with typical job-based insurance for less than $50 a month. And an entire family of four with income of up to $28,200 can get the same coverage for less than $50 a month. Some policies may be available for no monthly premium, but those policies will require policyholders to pay more when they go to the doctor, buy medication or enter the hospital.

Applicants should bring information about family members who will be covered and documentation of income. More information is available at www.Heathcare.gov. To have insurance coverage in effect on Jan. 1, you must enroll in an insurance policy by Dec. 23. You can still enroll after that date, but your insurance coverage won’t take effect until Feb. 1 or later.