The Great Smoky Mountain Journal

Staff, Wire Reports

Posted: Sunday, January 21, 2018 07:22 PM

East Tn Health Inurance Shoppers Facing Fewer Options, Tighter Deadline For 2018 Insurance Coverage; Enrollment Began Wednesday

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (SOURCE: AP/WVLT) – Health insurance shoppers face a new deadline, rising prices and fewer options for help as the Affordable Care Act's main enrollment window for 2018 coverage opens Wednesday.

The federal law created state-based marketplaces in which people can buy coverage with help from an income-based tax credit.

Experts say consumers should avoid last-minute shopping. The law's enrollment window closes Dec. 15 in most states, and websites that process the applications tend to bog down near the deadline. Last year, shoppers had until late January to make their choice.

The price of coverage is climbing more than 10 percent in many markets, and funding cuts may leave shoppers with fewer options for help selecting a plan.

The Obama-era law survived congressional attempts to dismantle it earlier this year.

Here in East Tennessee, the city of Knoxville is holding a series of enrollment events to help people learn more about their options for signing up for coverage.

Mayor Madeline Rogero says "during open enrollment, we want to make it as easy as possible for all Knoxville residents to get access to the information they need so they can decide if ACA coverage is right for them."

The following enrollment events are scheduled:

Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, 1807 Dandridge Ave.
– Noon-5 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 4
– 5-8 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 21
– 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 2

Cherokee Health Systems, 2018 Western Avenue
– 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 11
– 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 18
– 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 9
– 4-9 p.m., Friday, Dec. 15

South Knox Community Center, 522 Maryville Pike
– 3-7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 14
– 3-7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 30
– 3-7 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 5
– 3-7 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 12