It’s Open Enrollment period for the Health Insurance Marketplace and Medicare!

Do you have health insurance? More New Jerseyans than ever before do. Since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) opened the federal insurance marketplace and expanded Medicaid, the uninsured population has decreased significantly across the state.

Despite this progress, there are still too many without coverage, and if you are one of them, the time to act is now. Open Enrollment for Marketplace plans offered by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is from November 1 – January 31, 2017.  Visit HealthCare.gov, or call 1-800-318-2596 (TTY 1-855-889-4325) to learn about the plans in your area, see what financial assistance is available, and get covered. You can also find in-person assistance in your community at localhelp.healthcare.gov.

We are all just one accident or unexpected diagnosis away from needing health insurance. For generations, access to quality, affordable care was out of reach. But now there is no longer any reason to live without the health care you and your family need, and the financial uncertainty of being unprotected. Join the millions who have signed up. They know firsthand the peace of mind that comes with having an insurance card in your wallet - cancer screenings, hip replacements, and vaccinations are no longer out of reach. A trip to the emergency room can be replaced with a trip to the doctor.  Visit AARP’s online resource tool at HealthLawAnswers.org to learn more about what the law means for you and your family.

And if you signed up for Marketplace coverage last year, it’s worth your while to go back and see what new choices are available to you and your family.

The Health Insurance Marketplace is just for people who need to buy private health insurance. If you have insurance through Medicare that coverage is separate from the marketplace.

If you are 65 or older, you may already qualify for Medicare. Medicare health and drug plans can make changes each year—things like cost, coverage, and what providers and pharmacies are in their networks. During Medicare Open Enrollment (October 15 – December 7), people with Medicare should review their current health and prescription drug coverage and make sure their plan still meets their unique health care needs. People can use the Medicare Plan Finder tool on www.Medicare.gov to look at all of the health and drug plan options in their area. Choosing Medicare health and prescription drug plans can be a challenge, but the good news is that there is a lot of free help available. You can compare plans online using the Medicare Plan Finder at medicare.gov/find-a-plan or speak to a customer service representative by calling Medicare at 1-800-633-4227 or TTY 1-877-486-2048. You can also contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (800-677-1116) for personalized health insurance counseling at no cost.