Northwest Community Action Partnership’s Healthcare Marketplace presentation and community meeting scheduled for this evening in Chadron has been postponed.

There are a lot of questions about the new Healthcare Marketplace and NCAP has received grant funding to provide educational information and enrollment assistance to consumers through trained and certified Navigators.  The Navigators will be available to assist individuals and families in the five counties that NCAP services; Dawes, Box Butte, Sheridan, Cherry and Sioux.

The Marketplace is a “one-stop shop” in which families, individuals and small business owners can view all of their health insurance plan options by filling out a single streamlined application.  Health care plans on the Marketplace will met a set of minimum essential health benefits and provide shoppers with a comparison of available options.  More information can be found at HealthCare.gov.

Many people will be eligible for tax credits to reduce the cost of their monthly premiums, providing their income fall between 100% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level and they do not qualify for credible coverage under an employer plan, Medicare, Medicaid, or Tricare.  This means an uninsured family of four could make between $23,550 and $94,200 per year and still potentially qualify.  Those who do have one of the other coverage options do not have to worry about losing their coverage or being penalized for not participating in the Marketplace.  Likewise, those who are currently enrolled in a private health insurance plan and are happy with their cost and coverage are free to keep their plan.  The application is free and everyone has the option to look around the Marketplace at the available plans, without committing.

The open enrollment period began on October 1.

To learn more about how the certified Navigator can assist you, please call 1-800-361-3393.