Learn More About The Affordable Care Act

Learn more about the Health Insurance Marketplace from trained professionals this month at the public library.

On Dec. 14, the Albany County Public Library will host two presentations on the new Health Insurance Marketplace that is now open in Wyoming. Presentations will be at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

These presentations will allow participants to better understand the insurance plans available and attendees can get help signing up for insurance by on-hand Navigators.

Navigators are individuals or members of an organization that have been trained to help consumers, small businesses and employees as they look for health care options. The Navigators are unbiased and offer their services at no cost. They are skilled in completing eligibility and enrollment forms. Every state has Navigators. Navigators in Wyoming will continue to grow in number as more are trained within communities.

Natalie Kean, a Health Insurance Marketplace Navigator with Enroll Wyoming, will present information on what consumers will pay and what plans offer, as well as information on how consumers can qualify for financial help in order to afford a health plan.

The public library is hosting these events to help educate patrons on the Affordable Care Act and Health Insurance Marketplace. There is much confusion and many questions surrounding the ACA that these presentations will address.

Patrons need to be aware of who is available to help, whom the coverage does not apply to, the timeline for sign up and how to stay enrolled. Many residents also have questions concerning what the new minimum coverage is for health care and why past plans have been cancelled. The presentation will also inform participants about who is not required to enroll based on their current health insurance coverage or income level.

The library can assist patrons in finding information related to the ACA. It is important for patrons to know that sign up is not exclusively online. Participants can enroll by phone or send a hard copy of the enrollment application through the mail.

Resources for enrollment can be found at http://www.healthcare.gov or by calling 2-1-1.

For more information, contact Caitlin White at 721-2580 x5456 or pr@albanycountylibrary.org or Kathy Marquis at 721-2580 x5438 or kmarquis@albanycountylibrary.org.