IOWA FALLS, IOWA (October 31, 2019) — Iowa residents who are interested in free help to learn how they might enroll or re-enroll in health insurance under the provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) now have a new resource. Iowa Navigator is a non-profit project that received grant funding from the federal government to help Iowa residents select a health insurance plan. Last year, there were no navigators in the state to assist residents in enrollment, and rates dipped about 7%.
Open enrollment for 2020 will be November 1 through December 15, 2019. Iowa residents can call 515-978-9570 now to reserve a telephone appointment.
First Choice Services, working under a cooperative agreement with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, created the program in order to provide information about how the health-insurance Marketplace operates. They will discuss plan options and pricing and can help complete enrollments over the phone. This year, they are also offering a telehealth option that will allow applicants to see completion of their enrollment in real time. There is no charge for enrollment assistance.
Jeremy Smith, program director for Iowa Navigator, says that this service is important because many people are confused by the options and end up choosing the wrong type of plan. He said "This time of year, people are bombarded with ads for health insurance. Some are legitimate, but some are not. We are grant-funded, so we have no profit motive, and our only goal is to help people find the best, most affordable plan for them."
Financial help is available when signing up for health insurance through the Marketplace. Last year, 7 in 10 applicants qualified for financial help in obtaining health care coverage. For those that are already enrolled in Marketplace health insurance, new plans and prices are available. Those with current Marketplace coverage should pick a new plan or re-enroll in their existing plan by December 15, 2019, to prevent a lapse in coverage. More information is available at ACAnavigator.com.
