It's That Time Of Year To Hit The Obamacare Market

With Obamacare in full effect some of the kinks have been worked out in the last year on the federal Marketplace site for insurance. When January rolls around consumers will start to see how taxes will be effected by the new healthcare bill that went into effect last year.

Local Certified Application Counselor (CAC) Terry Reddy explained that people need to look at insurance plans and enroll by Dec. 15 for insurance to be effective by Jan. 1. Enrollment opened up on Friday, Nov. 15, and will continue to remain open until Feb. 15, 2015. Life events are of course the exception to enrolling into a new insurance plan, which would include a marriage, a birth, or a death.

Due to Montana opting out of their own marketplace, the federal marketplace will be open at http://www.healthcare.gov/marketplace. While some changes will be minor, it's still wise for those who have used the marketplace to find insurance to check their plans and update their information. Users should have received emails and letters to alert them of the open enrollment period and on some of the changes that may be in store.

“The website has made lots of improvements,” Reddy said. “Even if you don't think there's a lot of changes you should go and update your information.”

Those who are exempt should check on whether applications may be required, or if exemptions will be claimed during tax filing. Reddy said that the site was a lot more user friendly this year and should be working a lot better than last year.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reported that there are 25 percent more issuers offering insurance this year and there are more plans to chose from, giving people more options to compare to find the best deal. They also stated that plans can be changed during enrollment period until Feb. 15.

Reddy also explained that Montana has a new insurance carrier this year, which brings four different providers. Blue Cross Blue Shield, Montana Health CO-OP, PacificSource and Assurant Health (Time) are all available.

Consumers who have concerns or questions can call Reddy for an appointment at 406-228-3633 or Arleeen Archambeault at 228-3621. Both are located at FMDH. You can also visit montanahealthanswers.com/families/talk-to-a-human/ for additional information on local CACs, Navigators or Insurance Agents throughout the state.

According to a study from Enroll America, Valley County has seen a decrease in the number of uninsured. It went from 18 percent in 2013 to 11 percent in 2014. The research done by collecting data has stated that around 10 million more people have insurance coverage since the Affordable Care Act went into effect.