The Winnebago County Health Department (WCHD) continues to help area residents who are eligible for Marketplace Insurance -- including Medicaid -- with health insurance enrollment as important deadlines loom.
Two important dates are Dec. 15, 2015 -- today -- which is the last day to enroll for coverage to start Jan. 1, 2016; and Jan. 31, 2016, which is the last day for 2016 Open Enrollment.
The Health Department offers enrollment assistance at their ACA Walk-in Insurance Enrollment Center, 555 North Court St., Suite 204, Rockford. The Center is open:
- Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. until Feb. 15, 2016.
The Center is closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
According to a news release, specially trained navigators will assist residents and answer questions about health insurance coverage in the GetCoveredIllinois Marketplace or with the Adult ACA Medicaid expansion. Information is available on topics such as types of coverage offered, how to get coverage, individual plan costs, renewals, exemptions, and financial help available to consumers.
Outside of open enrollment periods, consumers may change insurance plans only if they have a Qualifying Life Event, such as a birth, marriage/divorce, moving, loss of coverage from a job, etc.
More information on qualifying life events which can trigger a Special Enrollment Period can be found at https://getcovered.illinois.gov/en/get-answers/special-enrollment-periods. Medicaid continues to have open enrollment year round.
The navigators are available to meet face-to-face or can be reached by phone. Appointments can be made by calling (815) 720-4247.
More information on ACA enrollment through the Winnebago County Health Department is available by phone at (815) 720-4000, online at www.wchd.org, or at the department office, 401 Division Street, PO Box 4009, Rockford IL 61110.