Many in need of health insurance coverage in the United States may not know that now is the time to enroll.
Multiple attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act in Congress, as well as recent changes to subsidies and policy structure, have led to confusion in an already tedious enrollment process.
The Trump administration cut the Affordable Care Act's 2017 fall enrollment period in half, from 12 weeks to six weeks – November 1 to December 15.
The budget for promoting open enrollment was also downsized by 90 percent, from $100,000 million last year to about $10 million in 2017. This leaves insurers, organizations and "navigators" with more responsibility to get the word out.
Approximately 120,000 people in Bexar County are currently enrolled in Affordable Care Act plans and may need to reapply or update their information. Plans do not roll over year to year unless individual action is taken.
What are the pros and cons of getting healthcare through the Affordable Care Act marketplace? What are the first steps to sign up for coverage in San Antonio?
For more information on local enrollment efforts, call 210-977-7997 or click here.
Guests:
- Anel Trevino, program manager for the Daughters of Charity Services of San Antonio and EnrollSA coalition chair
- Lori Lodes, co-founder of the Get America Covered Campaign
- Ana Sandoval, City Council representative for District 7
This is a community conversation and we want to hear from you. Leave a voicemail with your questions and comments in advance by calling 210-615-8982. During the live show (12-1 p.m.), call 210-614-8980, email thesource@tpr.org or tweet at @TPRSource.
