Uninsured Have Another Chance at Coverage

Copyright: James G Brey

Arkansas had the second-highest rate of uninsured adults in the nation last year, but has since led all other states in dropping that rate—from 22.5 percent in 2013 to 12.4 percent in 2014, according to a Gallup survey. Even so, more than 200,000 Arkansas adults remain uninsured.

To help still more people seek coverage, AARP is spreading the word that open enrollment in the health insurance marketplace begins Nov. 15. Uninsured Arkansans with income up to $46,680 for an individual or $62,920 for a couple may be eligible for tax credits to help pay for premiums. In addition, Arkansans with income at or below $16,105 for an individual or $21,707 per couple can sign up at any time for the state’s “private option” plan, which allows them to use Medicaid funds to buy insurance in the private market.

For information about plans available through the health insurance marketplace or to enroll, go to healthcare.gov. To enroll in the private option plan, go to access.arkansas.gov.