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 |
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