Tips for using healthcare.gov to enroll in health insurance plans

Open enrollment begins Tuesday

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 27, 2016) — On Tuesday open enrollment begins for Qualified Health Plans (QHP) on the federal marketplace healthcare.gov. Currently, about 84,000 Kentuckians have a current QHP purchased on the exchange.

Key points:

• Nothing changes with 2016 coverage. Plans are still valid through Dec. 31.
• Beginning Nov. 1 Kentuckians who qualify for a Qualified Health Plan need to apply and enroll at HealthCare.gov for 2017 coverage.
• Open Enrollment Period (OEP) for 2017 Qualified Health Plan coverage is from Nov. 1 to Jan. 31, 2017. You must enroll by Dec. 15 for coverage to begin Jan. 1, 2017.
• If a person is enrolled in 2016 with an issuer that will not be offering plans in 2017 on HealthCare.gov, the enrollee will have more time to choose a plan for 2017 due to a Special Enrollment Period for Loss of Minimum Essential Coverage.
• Kentuckians can only get the tax credit, called APTC or Advanced Premium Tax Credit or a Cost Sharing Reduction that helps cover out-of-pocket costs by enrolling through HealthCare.gov.
• The Medicaid program and application process have not changed.
• If a person is enrolled in Medicaid, they do not need to do anything until their renewal/recertification date.  If someone is Medicaid eligible, he/she can apply anytime during the year.
• The kynect call center (855-459-6328) is still here to help direct Kentuckians where to go for coverage.  The call center will help prescreen for program eligibility and can assist with Medicaid applications. The call center can also help with questions and information.
• HealthCare.gov customer service call center can be reached at 800-318-2596 and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

 Where to apply:

• Kentuckians who have applied for or enrolled in coverage through kynect are receiving notices in the mail about the transition. These notices explain the transition and directs them where to go and what to do for 2017 coverage. Postcard reminders with relevant dates and helpful information are sent every three weeks to remind them to enroll and guide them through enrollment.
• Beginning Nov. 1, the kynect website will serve as a landing page and offer detailed messaging and direction on when and where to apply.
• kynect customer service contact center can assist with questions, prescreening eligibility, and Medicaid applications. When consumers call kynect they will hear a special message with information about changes for 2017. Their number is 855-459-6328.
• Media advertising and events are planned to begin throughout the state to inform the public of where to go to apply and enroll.
• The HealthCare.gov website has messaging in place for Kentucky residents as well as messages through their phone system. The HealthCare.gov customer service call center can be reached at 800-318-2596 and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• kynect Customer Service call center can assist with questions, prescreening eligibility, and Medicaid application at 855-459-6328
• There are specially trained groups that can offer in person assistance in every county. Kentuckians can search for an insurance agent or application assister (formerly called kynectors) who can work with them in person or over the phone to answer questions or get assistance with the application and enrollment process.
• Kentuckians can use the “search” function on the kynect website or they can call Customer Service to help them find someone in the consumer’s area who can help them.
• HealthCare.gov customer service call center can be reached at 800-318-2596 and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Targeted outreach activities:

• Targeted notices to Kentuckians explain the transition and steps enrollees or applicants need to take for 2017 coverage.
• Postcards will be mailed every three weeks during open enrollment to remind Kentuckians to complete the enrollment process on healthcare.gov.
• Issuers are also sending notices to their enrollees to notify them of changes and next steps.
• Insurance agents and application assisters have advertising tool kits for education and outreach efforts.
• Agents and assisters were provided a list of all their QHP enrollees for outreach.
• Social media messages will offer direction and information.
• Targeted advertisements will be placed on social media platforms.
• Text messaging and email campaigns will be sent to enrollees.
• Display advertising will be placed around the state.
• Radio spots will run in various markets.

kynectors are application assisters:

• All notices that were mailed to applicants and enrollees explaining the transition included contact information for the Application Assister or Insurance Agent of record.
• kynectors have a very active outreach program that includes sign up events, advertising, and education opportunities. They will continue to be very active in the communities they serve. To contact an application assister, Kentuckians can use the search function on the kynect website or call the kynect customer service contact center.
• Every county in Kentucky is served by a contracted organization for in-person assistance.
• kynectors are now called application assisters.
• Kentucky has a contract with the same organizations for assistance as in previous years and similar levels of assisters are expected as in previous years. Some volunteers and workers for these organizations are still in the process of completing training for HealthCare.gov and state training.