11/1 to 12/15 Enrollment for Affordable Care Act

11/1 to 12/15/2017 Affordable Care Act Enrollment

Donnelly Raises Concerns Over GOP Health Care Plan

Posted on March 9, 2017
Author Mary Perren, WKVI

U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly says he can’t support the Republican alternative to the Affordable Care Act in its current form. He’s not opposed to improvements aimed at making health insurance more affordable but says he’s not going to vote for anything that takes healthcare away from those struggling with conditions like diabetes or heart disease who have finally gotten coverage.

Donnelly says the GOP plan slashes costs on the backs of his constituents by reducing or eliminating benefits for millions of people.

During a Wednesday appearance on WKVI’s “Grossman in the Morning” Donnelly said many of the people he represents have coverage for the first time thanks to the Affordable Care Act.

“If someone in San Pierre or in North Judson or in Knox has diabetes, I’m not going to stand by and let them lose their coverage because they struggle from a disease. They had no part in winding up with that situation. That’s just something that happens. I just want to make sure we keep the commitments we’ve made to folks.”

The proposed bill includes a broad Medicaid overhaul that could mean reductions in benefits. Vice President Mike Pence has called the measure a “framework for reform.”

Senator Donnelly Discusses Hoosier Healthcare

Posted on January 16, 2017
Author Abby Adams, WKVI

U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly is discussing his plans for healthcare in Indiana following the talk of repealing The Affordable Care Act.

Donnelly said Friday there must be a plan to replace the healthcare of those currently depending on government healthcare plans following the repeal of this bill. “I’m not willing to stand aside if someone in Knox who has diabetes loses their healthcare.”

Donnelly stressed in the interview that he would work with whomever was willing, Democrat or Republican, to make sure Hoosiers do not lose their healthcare during the repeal of The Affordable Care Act.

“I’m willing to make plans, I’m willing to work together as long as everybody’s healthcare is protected,” he said.

Open Enrollment Starts Tuesday for Healthcare Exchanges

Posted on November 1, 2016
Author Tyler Maffitt, WKVI

Open enrollment on the Affordable Care Act exchange starts Tuesday, and local medical service groups are providing assistance for those looking to shop their options.

The sign-up period takes place between November 1st, 2016 and January 31st, 2017. As in past years, a majority of those enrolled on the exchanges are expected to receive financial assistance.

The federal government uses household income to determine who is eligible for any insurance subsidies, or even Medicaid. Starke County Health Department Nurse Frank Lynch says their department can give vaccinations to those on Medicaid, those who still don’t have insurance, or those whose insurance does not cover the vaccine.

“We don’t need any documentation that your insurance doesn’t cover it or there is no documentation whether you have insurance or not,” says Lynch. “So basically it’s all we need. If you have insurance and it covers vaccinations, then you need to go through your healthcare provider.”

Aid often includes tax credits to help pay for premiums, or discounts on co-pays and deductibles. Those without health insurance will pay a penalty – either 2.5% of family income, or a pre-determined flat rate. Lynch says they typically don’t see a big influx of patients during open enrollment periods.

“We had a lot of people that call in regards to: will my insurance cover it? Well we don’t do any insurance billing here at the health department,” says Lynch. “Then what I would recommend in regards to adults or anyone with insurance for their children or anything like that, 9 and up, they can be done at a local pharmacy, Walgreen’s or CVS.”

Those interested in searching their options, however, will have access to certified assisters. They are available at Starke Hospital. Appointments can help assess coverage needs and pricing, and are available by calling 855-400-2045. Residents can also receive help filling out the application for insurance.

This is the fourth annual campaign to extend health coverage to more than 13-million Americans. Individuals who are re-enrolling are encouraged to find the best option for them. Comparing plans can, many times, save individuals money from year-to-year.

Insurance providers cannot deny individuals based on a pre-existing condition.

Affordable Care Act Brings Changes to Tax Preparation

February 16, 2016AuthorMichael Gallenberger, WKVI 

 

There may be a few changes this year in the way you prepare your taxes, thanks to the Affordable Care Act. For the first time, certain taxpayers may be getting health care information forms to help them complete their tax returns and keep with their tax records.

Form 1095-B will be sent out by health insurance providers to the individuals they cover, with information about who was covered and when.

Also new this year is Form 1095-C. It’s sent by some employers with details about the coverage they offer to employees.

For the second year, those enrolled in coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace will receive Form 1095-A.

The Internal Revenue Service says you can file tax returns before you get the 1095-B or -C forms, using information available elsewhere. However, if you’re expecting to get a 1095-A form, the IRS says to wait until you get it before filing. The new forms should not be attached to your income tax return. Instead, you should keep them for your tax records.

The IRS also reminds taxpayers that they need to either report that they’ve had qualifying health care coverage for the entire year or prove they qualify for an exemption. Otherwise, they will have to pay an “individual shared responsibility payment.”

For more information on how the Affordable Care Act will affect your tax returns, visit IRS.gov/aca.

ACA Deadline Brings Information to Rural Indiana Residents

Posted onJanuary 27, 2016AuthorTyler Maffitt

 

The deadline is approaching for Indiana residents to sign-up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act, and several organizations are hoping to target rural Hoosiers.

Those eligible to receive health insurance on the marketplace have until January 31st. A conference call on Wednesday was used to explain why rural Hoosiers are an area of need for uninsured populations in the United States.

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Region 5 Director Kathleen Falk says it’s a critical time to meet the sign-up deadline, especially for those may be at-risk of not receiving health insurance.

“For those who don’t sign up for 2016 and have the opportunity and can afford to do so, there’s a fine that will be imposed in 2017 and we don’t want that to happen to anyone,” says Falk. “The fine is $695 or 2.5% of your income, whichever is larger.”

The U.S. has seen 18-million citizens insured as part of the ACA that were previously uninsured.

According to Falk, prior to the passage of the ACA, rural uninsured residents were paying 50-percent of their healthcare costs out of pocket. In addition, one in five farmers were carrying some form of debt to pay for medical bills.

Falk says this is particularly important because rural residents typically suffer from chronic diseases at a higher rate than those living in urban areas.

“We know they are likely to be older than their urban counterparts, they tend to have lower incomes, and they’re more likely to be self-employed – which means less likely to have health insurance through their jobs,” says Falk.

Residents have until the end of the month to sign-up for health coverage under the Affordable Care Act.

By dialing 211 on their phones, rural Indiana residents may also be put in touch with an in-person counselor to help them navigate the healthcare market place.

IRS May Need More Information Because of Affordable Care Act

Published: August 4, 2015 By: Mary Perren, WKVI

The IRS may need more information from some income tax filers this year due to provisions of the Affordable Care Act. Taxpayers who signed up for coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace chose to either have advance payments of the premium tax credit paid directly to their insurance provider in order to reduce their premiums throughout the year or to get their assistance at tax time as a premium tax credit.

Taxpayers who had advance payments made throughout the year need to file a return to either claim premium tax credit or reconcile the advance payment with the actual amount of premium tax credit to which they were allowed based on their 2014 income.

Taxpayers who have not yet filed their taxes or filed an extension request risk losing the advance payment of premium tax next year. The IRS urges them to file their taxes electronically within the next 30 days.

The agency also estimates some 760,000 taxpayers nationwide filed a tax return but did not attach the required Form 8962 to reconcile the payments. Those taxpayers will receive letters asking that they submit the form. Officials say it is not unusual for the IRS to follow up with taxpayers for more information about their returns after April 15th.

Beware of Health Insurance Marketplace Scams

Published: December 1, 2014
By: Mary Perren, WKVI

Applicants for health insurance coverage through the marketplace should be aware of scammers during this open enrollment period. Indiana Department of Insurance Commissioner Stephen W. Robertson says no one at Healthcare.gov needs credit card information in order to help you apply for insurance. This has happened to people who have called the toll-free number to sign up for coverage or ask questions about the plans offered in accordance with the Affordable Care Act. Robertson says scammers set up telephone numbers that are very similar to the Healthcare.gov number in hopes that someone will misdial.

Another variation of the scam offers you a $100 rebate voucher for a discount shopping program or a $100 Walmart gift card if you pay a nominal processing fee with a credit card. This is a scam designed to get your credit card information. No rebate vouchers or gift cards are offered in exchange for signing up for health insurance.

If you are applying for coverage on the Federal Marketplace, make sure you call 1-800-318-2596. If you prefer to apply online, visit www.healthcare.gov.

If you’ve been a victim of a scam, contact the Indiana Department of Insurance at 317-232-2385 or the Indiana Attorney General’s office at 317-232-6330.

2/10/2014 - HealthLinc Coffee Talks on the Affordable Care Act & Enrollment Sessions

The HealthLinc Coffee Talks provide an opportunity for individuals to learn about the Affordable Care Act and how the law affects them and their loved ones.  Certified application counselors will be on hand to help people enroll in the Health Insurance Marketplace and help them find out if they qualify for subsidies that offset the cost of insurance coverage. 

There will be two HealthLinc Coffee Talks at the North Judson-Wayne Township Library on Monday, January 27th; a morning session from 10 a.m to 12:30 p.m. and an afternoon session from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Individuals and families interested in enrolling should bring the following documentation:

• Social Security Number or document numbers for legal immigrants
• Employer, tax and income information for every member of your household who needs coverage, i.e. pay stubs, W-2 forms
• Policy numbers for any current health insurance plans covering members of your household (if applicable)
• A completed Employer Coverage Tool form available at https://www.healthcare.gov/downloads/ECT_Application_508_130615.pdf for every job-based plan you or someone in your household is eligible for.  This includes coverage you are eligible for, but do not enroll in.

If you have any questions, call 1-888-580-1060.  This event is free and open to the public.

1/27/2014 HealthLinc Coffee Talks on the Affordable Care Act & Enrollment Sessions

The HealthLinc Coffee Talks provide an opportunity for individuals to learn about the Affordable Care Act and how the law affects them and their loved ones.  Certified application counselors will be on hand to help people enroll in the Health Insurance Marketplace and help them find out if they qualify for subsidies that offset the cost of insurance coverage. 

There will be two HealthLinc Coffee Talks at the North Judson-Wayne Township Library on Monday, January 27th; a morning session from 10 a.m to 12:30 p.m. and an afternoon session from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Individuals and families interested in enrolling should bring the following documentation:

• Social Security Number or document numbers for legal immigrants
• Employer, tax and income information for every member of your household who needs coverage, i.e. pay stubs, W-2 forms
• Policy numbers for any current health insurance plans covering members of your household (if applicable)
• A completed Employer Coverage Tool form available at https://www.healthcare.gov/downloads/ECT_Application_508_130615.pdf for every job-based plan you or someone in your household is eligible for.  This includes coverage you are eligible for, but do not enroll in.

If you have any questions, call 1-888-580-1060.  This event is free and open to the public.