Still time to get health coverage for 2016

CONCORD – New Hampshire residents have until the end of January to enroll for comprehensive health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Most who apply will be eligible for subsidies to reduce or, in some cases, cover all out-of-pocket costs for a wide range of plans, depending on income levels.

This year N.H. residents who do not get health insurance through their employer can choose from more than 40 plans offered by five providers through the Marketplace, including Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Minuteman Health and Ambetter from N.H. Healthy Families, offered by Celtic Insurance.

Maine Community Heath Options announced last month that it would not be accepting new individual coverage as of Dec. 26, 2015. This decision is a consequence of significant enrollment growth over the last two years and higher than expected claims costs in 2015.

This decision does not limit or affect Community Health Options’ group business plans.

Additional dental plans, either combined with health coverage or stand-alone plans, are also being offered by Anthem, Delta Dental, Dentegra Insurance Company and the Guardian Life Insurance Company in 2016.

Whether currently uninsured or already enrolled in a Marketplace plan, those who are eligible for the Health Insurance Marketplace, Medicaid and the New Hampshire Health Protection Program (NHHPP) can go to Healthcare.gov to shop for a health insurance or dental plan.

Covering New Hampshire as well as the New Hampshire Insurance Department offers information to state residents who plan to purchase health insurance in Marketplace for 2016.

“We want New Hampshire citizens who plan to buy health insurance through the Marketplace to be aware of their options as consumers,” said the state’s Insurance Commissioner Roger Sevigny.

“The Insurance Department regulates all insurance offered to individual consumers in the state, including health insurance.” he continued.

“While we are not involved in enrollment for the Marketplace, we can offer guidance that will enable residents to make informed choices. Our consumer services staff is also available to assist with issues that arise after people are enrolled in coverage.”

Likewise, Covering New Hampshire aims to help people understand the new health care law and assist in connecting people with the Health Insurance Marketplace. The organization also connects people with in-person assisters who will help them enroll and with organizations that can help them get coverage.

According to Covering New Hampshire, 52,944 New Hampshire residents received coverage in the Marketplace during open enrollment for 2015.

The NHHPP is a new health program under Medicaid expansion for people whose income is below certain levels (about $16,000 for an individual or $32,000 for a family of four.) They may qualify for no-cost or very low-cost insurance.

Those who do not sign up for a health insurance plan by the end of the month will have to wait until November for another chance to enroll, unless there is a major life event, such as the birth of a child or loss of a job.

This year, anyone remaining uninsured will face fees of at least $695 per adult and $347.50 per child, or 2.5 percent of their annual income.

According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, as of Dec. 30, 2015, 8.5 million consumers across the country signed up for health coverage through the HealthCare.gov platform or had their coverage automatically renewed.

Of the about 6 million Marketplace consumers whose coverage was renewed, about 3.6 million, or 60 percent, actively came back to HealthCare.gov to update their information, explore the options available for 2016 and select the plan that best fits their needs.

The remaining 2.4 million consumers were automatically renewed.

Plans for 2016 are affordable according to the recently released CMS report. Fifty-three percent of New Hampshire enrollees can find plans for $75 or less a month in premiums after tax credits.

Nationwide, about eight out of 10 people who enroll in health coverage through HealthCare.gov qualify for financial help to make their monthly premiums more affordable.

For 2016, 98 percent of returning New Hampshire HealthCare.gov consumers could save an average of $622 annually in premiums before tax credits for a plan in the same level of coverage by returning to shop.

Certified assisters are available throughout the state to help residents compare and enroll in a Marketplace plan. Once open enrollment closes on Jan. 31, it will not open again until November 2016.