The next open enrollment period under the Affordable Care Act begins Nov. 15. While the ACA has come under criticism for having high premiums, Jason Stevenson with the Utah Health Policy Project says there are many government subsidies that can cover the majority of the premium cost.
“Sixty to 70 percent of Americans have no idea that financial help is available if you go to Healthcare.gov to shop for insurance,” Stevenson said. “Once they find that out, they're amazed, and they quickly sign up. But too many people don't know that insurance is now affordable and within their reach through the Affordable Care Act."
Stevenson says nearly 90 percent of the 84,000 Utahns who now have health insurance through the ACA are receiving financial help. He says the Utah Health Policy Project is among the organizations working hard to prepare for what could be a very busy open enrollment period.
"We're getting our displays - our computers set up. Making sure that we have enough toys on the floor for all of the kids, as their parents come in, as well as getting our marketing and communication strategies in line and ready to go," he said.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that more than eight-million Americans have enrolled for coverage under the ACA.
For more information, visit takecareutah.org
