Healthcare.gov Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Thousands of West Virginians Sign Up for Healthcare During Open Enrollment

Almost 8,000 West Virginians signed up for healthcare during the first month of Open Enrollment under the federal Affordable Care Act this year.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced Thursday that over 2.1 million Americans selected plans using the HealthCare.gov platform since Open Enrollment began on November 1. That includes more than 7,800 West Virginians – both new consumers and consumers who were renewing their healthcare plans.

63 percent of West Virginia Marketplace enrollees can find plans with a premium for less than $75 per month and can save an average of $728 annually in premiums for a plan in the same level of coverage by returning to shop on Healthcare.gov. That’s according to a news release from the federal Department of Health and Human Services.

Open enrollment for January coverage ends on December 15.

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, with support from the Benedum Foundation.

Need Help Picking the Right Health Plan? Navigators Can Help.

For those of you who have to buy insurance through the Affordable Care Act it’s that time of year again – open enrollment is just around the corner. But finding the right plan can be both confusing and time consuming. That’s why for the second year the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services are awarding grants to West Virginia organizations that support in-person help in shopping for the right plan.

The grant funds “Navigators” which are people and organizations who help consumers find the right health care option for themselves or business. According to a press release, “navigators can meet in person with consumers and help them understand the coverage options available to them.” They are also able to help consumers pick, apply for, and enroll in a plan of their choice.

Consumers can find Navigators through Local Health at healthcare.gov.

This is the second year of a three year funding cycle. West Virginia received 600,000 this year. Nationwide, 96 organizations received funding, including two in West Virginia.

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, with support from the Benedum Foundation.

More Than 33,000 West Virginians Enroll in Health Marketplace

More than 33,000 West Virginia residents have signed up for coverage through the federal health care law.

Federal officials said this week that 33,407 West Virginians signed up or renewed coverage on the federal marketplace from Nov. 1 through Dec. 19. Nationally, more than 8.2 million people have enrolled in the 38 states that use the HealthCare.gov website and call center.

Residents have until Jan. 31 to sign up for coverage. People who remain uninsured after that risk rising fines.

Officials say that 2.4 million of those who’ve signed up across the country this year are new to HealthCare.gov, which is ahead of last year’s levels.

Federal Government Extends Health Insurance Enrollment Period

Federal officials are extending the amount of time West Virginians have to sign up for health insurance through the HealthCare.gov website.

HealthCare.gov CEO Kevin Counihan made the announcement in a press release Wednesday.

Because of increased demand and the volume of people looking to sign up for health insurance through the website, Counihan said the federal government is pushing back the first December 15 deadline to December 17.

HealthCare.gov was created after the passage of the Affordable Care Act. It requires all Americans to have health insurance.

At the end of the 2015 enrollment period, more than 33,000 West Virginians had signed up for health plans on the exchange.

Health insurance plans obtained by the December 17 deadline go into effect January 1, 2016. Any West Virginian without insurance will face a federal penalty which could be as much as $2,000

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, with support from the Benedum Foundation.

Officials Say 11,000 West Virginians Sign Up for Health Care

Federal officials say more than 11,000 West Virginia residents have signed up for the health insurance marketplace during the open enrollment period that began Nov. 1.

Open enrollment runs through Jan. 31. However, people who need coverage starting Jan. 1 face a Dec. 15 deadline for signing up.

The figures announced Wednesday include new consumers and consumers returning to shop for private health insurance plans sold on Healthcare.gov.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says 59 percent of West Virginian enrollees can finds plans for $75 or less per month after tax credits. Nationwide, about 80 percent of enrollees qualify for financial help to make their premiums more affordable.

Benchmark Insurance Plan's Cost to Increase in West Virginia

Federal officials say West Virginia residents will see an 18.5 percent increase in the cost of a benchmark plan on the health care exchange.

The increase for 2016 coverage in West Virginia is higher than the average for the 37 states that are using the Healthcare.gov. website. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said Tuesday that premiums for the benchmark plan across all states relying on the federal exchange will increase by an average of 7.5 percent.

Rates are decreasing in a handful of states for the benchmark plan, which is the second lowest-cost silver plan.

The third open enrollment session begins on Nov. 1. At the end of the 2015 enrollment period, more than 33,000 West Virginians had selected a plan on the exchange.