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Open Enrollment Begins With “The Affordable Care Act:” What You Need To Know

It’s that time of year when healthcare is on many of our minds. Whether you work for a company or are self-insured, now is when many pick their plans and ...

It's that time of year when healthcare is on many of our minds. Whether you work for a company or are self-insured, now is when many pick their plans and coverage for next year.

If you have no insurance, that's where "The Affordable Care Act," also known as Obamacare, could come into play. Enrollment starts online Tuesday morning at this link and continues through January 31, 2017.

Newswatch 16's Ryan Leckey teamed up with a few healthcare navigators to explain the process this morning.

Certified Healthcare Navigators with Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Northeastern PA, Inc., a division of Advantage Credit Counseling, are holding free enrollment events. These functions are held to help people navigate and understand the healthcare plans with "The Marketplace" also known as Obamacare.

Appointments are required. See below for event details:

Locations and Times of Free Appointments:

  • November 17 between 12:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. at the Computer Learning Lab on the lower level of the Lackawanna County Children’s Library (520 Vine Street, Scranton).
  • November 14 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at the Computer Learning Lab on the second floor of the Osterhout Free Library (71 S. Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre).
  • November 22 between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. at the Stroudsburg Wesleyan Church (915 N. 5th Street, Stroudsburg).

To schedule an appointment with a healthcare navigator from Consumer Credit Counseling Service, call (888) 511-2227 x 114.

Why should you call?

  1. You will learn about new health coverage options for you and your family.
  2. You will find out if you qualify for Medicaid or tax credits to help pay for insurance costs.
  3. They will work with a team of experts to help you select the plan that best fits your needs.If these free workshops aren't in your neighborhood, another way to get help/advice is by contacting PA Health Access Network at 1-877-570-3642.  This statewide helpline can assist you in enrolling, help with appeals/exemptions, and help you understand the insurance.

If you are low to moderate income, there are also programs such as Medicaid that could help you as well. The healthcare navigators listed above can explain this process at their events.

If you fall short and don't qualify for any healthcare, free medical clinics across our area may be able to help you. Click here to find one near you.

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