Nebraska Health Centers Can Help with Enrollment
Millions of people have lost their job-based health insurance plans since the start of the pandemic. In order to give those who need health insurance a new opportunity to get coverage, the Biden Administration is re-opening HealthCare.gov. But those who are interested must act quickly. This open enrollment period starts on February 15, 2021, and ends on May 15, 2021, and is available to those who need to enroll in health coverage for the first time, as well as those who want to re-enroll from a previous year.
Trying to navigate the health insurance landscape can be confusing, but Nebraskans can get free local help from health centers across the state. Each health center has Certified Application Counselors on staff who are trained and educated in the different coverage options. Available plans include free immunizations and health screenings — considered essential benefits — and can also cover doctor’s visits, maternity care, prescriptions, mental health care, and testing, treatment, or vaccine administration for COVID-19.
Health insurance is more affordable than many people think. More than 88,600 Nebraskans enrolled in a health insurance plan during open enrollment last year, and 89% of current marketplace consumers have plans available that cost less than $50 per month, after financial help. Nine out of ten marketplace enrollees in our state received financial help that lowered their monthly health insurance premiums last year. In addition, 30% of enrollees also qualified for lower out-of-pocket costs for health care services.
The Health Center Association of Nebraska’s (HCAN) mission is to support Nebraska community health centers as they provide comprehensive health care homes for the underserved. The Nebraska community health centers provide medical, dental, and mental health services to over 115,000 people and have nearly 70 locations across Nebraska.
For more information about community health centers and to find a complete locations list, please visit hcanebraska.org.
