For immediate release:
Alyson
Cummings, Maine Health Access Foundation
(207)
620-8266 x 108 | acummings@mehaf.org
DEADLINE
FAST-APPROACHING FOR
2014
MARKETPLACE HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE
Enroll207
encourages Mainers to sign-up by March 31st
AUGUSTA, MAINE (March 4, 2014)—Individuals and
families seeking health insurance are finding more affordable health plans on
the Affordable Care Act (also called ÒObamacareÓ) online Health Insurance
Marketplace. By the end of January 2014, more than 20,000 Mainers
had selected a new health plan through the Marketplace.
More importantly,
out of these 20,000 people, 89% of enrollees qualified for some level of
financial assistance that lowered monthly and out of pocket costs. Many people have been surprised by how
affordable health care coverage can be with the financial assistance provided
through the Marketplace.
The fast-approaching deadline to enroll
in a health plan for 2014 coverage is Monday,
March 31st. Mainers who are uninsured after the March 31st
deadline will be subject to a tax penalty of 1% of their annual household
income or $95, whichever is higher. For example if your income were $42,500,
you would pay $425 for 2014.
Purchasing health insurance can feel
complicated, but Mainers can connect with free, certified local assisters on
enroll207.com. Local assisters are
trained to review health plan options through the Maine Health Insurance
Marketplace, and assist individuals and families who wish to sign up for
affordable coverage. To find a
free local assister near you who can meet in-person or talk by phone, visit
enroll207.com or call Consumers for Affordable Health Care toll free at
1-800-838-0388.
Numerous enrollment events and recurring
Òdrop-inÓ hours are being held around the state leading up to the March 31st
deadline. Visit the Events page on enroll207.com for a comprehensive listing.
You can also read stories of Mainers who have already signed up for more
affordable health insurance through the Marketplace. Currently, enroll207.com is encouraging Mainers to share
their experiences about signing up for a health plan at www.enroll207.com/share for a chance
to win a $100 gift card. Winners
will be selected each week through the end of March.
For more
information, please visit www.enroll207.com
About
enroll207.com:
enroll207.com
is a project of the Maine Health Access Foundation, the stateÕs largest
private, nonprofit foundation with a mission to promote access to quality
health care, especially for those who are uninsured and underserved, and
improve the health of everyone in Maine. The purpose of enroll207 is to connect Mainers
to free certified assisters who can help Maine people review their options and enroll
in new health insurance plans through the Health Insurance Marketplace at
www.healthcare.gov.