Iowa Obamacare sign-ups run a bit higher this fall

President-elect Donald Trump's pledge to repeal Obamacare has not dampened Iowa applications for subsidized health insurance.

Slightly more Iowans are signing up for such coverage this fall than did at this point last year. Federal officials said Wednesday that 12,099 Iowans had signed up for new or renewed policies via the Affordable Care Act exchange since the annual enrollment period opened Nov. 1. That compared to 11,811 during the first four weeks of November 2015. The open enrollment period runs through January.

Many political leaders and insurance experts have advised consumers that 2017 insurance policies should be unaffected by calls to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

The numbers reported Wednesday reflect people who buy private insurance policies on the government's health-insurance exchange, which can be found at www.healthcare.gov. The system is the only place where consumers can buy policies that qualify for Obamacare subsidies to help pay their premiums.

Most people who shop on the exchange have incomes low enough to qualify for subsidies. For example, a single person making up to about $47,000 annually might qualify for some help. People with lower incomes qualify for higher subsidies. Federal officials said Wednesday that 65 percent of Iowans who buy policies on the system could purchase health insurance for less than $75 per month.

To qualify for the subsidies, applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal residents, and they must not be offered coverage from an employer. Although open enrollment runs through January, applicants must sign up by Dec. 15 if they want coverage to start Jan. 1. Many poorer Iowans qualify for Medicaid coverage, which has year-round enrollment.

Assistance available

People who need help signing up for private insurance under the Affordable Care Act can find assistance at localhelp.healthcare.gov. In central Iowa, Visiting Nurse Services is one of the agencies helping consumers understand their options. The agency can be contacted at 515-288-1516. It also has scheduled numerous public sign-up events. Here are the ones in the next two weeks:

Dec. 8: Dallas County Hospital, Perry, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Marion County Public Health Department, Knoxville, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Dec. 9: Floyd County Medical Center, Charles City, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Dec. 10: Clear Lake Public Library, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Dec. 12: Goodwill Career Connection Center, 5921 S.E. 14th St., Des Moines, 1 to 7 p.m.

Dec. 13: Hampton Community Resource Center, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mid-Iowa Community Action, Ames, 9 a.m. to noon.

Dec. 14: Newton Public Library, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Marshalltown Public Library, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visiting Nurse Services, 1111 Ninth St., Des Moines, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.