by Ronnie Lovler
Editor’s note: There is a grassroots effort to get more people signed up for Obamacare, stimulated by the cruel efforts of the Trump administration to undercut it. They have shortened the sign-up period by over 50 percent, from three months to six weeks. They have slashed the budget for publicizing the sign up period by 90 percent. They eliminated sign-up on Sundays from midnight to noon, and as they are threatening to cut subsidies for low income subscribers, insurance companies are raising rates to cover their bottom line.
Here’s a link for more background: <http://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/post/obamacare-rates-increase-45-percent-2018#stream/0>
The Open Enrollment period for those interested in retaining or obtaining insurance through the federal government’s Affordable Care Act will be only six weeks long for 2018 enrollments.
Consumers can sign up for health insurance during the Open Enrollment period from Nov. 1 through Dec. 15. Coverage for 2018 will begin Jan. 1 and run through the calendar year.
Navigators from Suwannee River Area Health Education Center (SRAHEC) will be available at different locations throughout North Central Florida to assist consumers. SRAHEC is the only organization with certified navigators operating in north central Florida this year.
Consumers who already have coverage are urged to make appointments with a navigator to review their options with the 2018 plans that will become available Nov. 1 rather than simply doing an automatic rollover with their current plans.
Those new to the Federal Health Insurance Marketplace will be able to review plans to see if there is one that fits their needs and their budget.
Senior Bilingual Navigator Ronnie Lovler, who provides service in Gainesville, Putnam County and to those in the Spanish speaking community in the area, will be available Mondays beginning Oct. 23 at the Civic Media Center (CMC) from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Consumers can make appointments with Lovler by calling 386-292-2947, emailing her at rlovler@srahec.org, or stopping by the CMC on Mondays.
The CMC is located at 433 S. Main Street in downtown Gainesville.
SRAHEC will also host two larger enrollment events at Santa Fe’s downtown CIED Center at 530 W. University Ave. on Nov. 4 and Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Those living outside the Gainesville area can call 386-462-1551 x108 or e-mail navigator@srahec.org to find their local navigator. Please include your name, phone number and the county you live in on all voicemails and e-mails.
SRAHEC provides navigator assistance service in Alachua, Bradford, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Lafayette, Levy, Marion, Putnam, Sumter, Suwannee, and Union counties.D