This press release was published in conjunction with our partners at Cover Texas Now.
AUSTIN — Health care experts are urging Texans to sign up for insurance when HealthCare.Gov opens on Monday, November 1st for health plans for next year. December 15th is the last day to sign up for insurance that begins on January 1, 2022.
“If you need health insurance for 2020, this is the time to check out your options on HealthCare.Gov,” said Stacey Pogue, Senior Policy Analyst at the nonprofit organization Every Texan. “This year, Congress cut the price of insurance on HealthCare.Gov, so most people who sign up for a plan will pay less than $10 per month.”
Financial assistance is available to most Texans who sign up for insurance on HealthCare.Gov. In fact, after Congress increased the financial assistance earlier this year, many Texans with lower incomes are now eligible for a comprehensive health plan with a $0/month premium and low or no deductible.
“Texans who already have insurance from HealthCare.Gov for this year should go back and shop for a 2022 plan to make sure they get the best deal available,” explained Ms. Pogue.
This year, Texans also have more health plans options through HealthCare.Gov than in the past. Fifteen insurers are in the Texas Marketplace for 2022, up from 10 the year prior. “Window shopping” is now available on HealthCare.Gov to review these plans.
Insurance plans on HealthCare.Gov must include key benefits like mental health care, maternity care, prescription drug coverage, hospitalization services, and coverage for pre-existing conditions. Plans outside HealthCare.Gov do not have to offer the same protections or financial help.
Community organizations across the state are standing by to offer Texans free, expert help with the sign-up process. Using the Get Covered Connector, Texans can locate certified enrollment assisters at local community-based organizations who can help them sign up for health coverage through HealthCare.gov, Medicaid, and CHIP.
Examples of enrollment assistance organizations serving major metro areas include:
Austin: Organizations providing assistance include Foundation Communities, CommUnityCare, Light and Salt Association, Lonestar Circle of Care, and more. For more information and options, call 2-1-1 or (512) 381-4520, or visit ProsperHealthCoverage.org or www.getenrolledatx.com.
Houston: Organizations providing assistance include Change Happens, Legacy Community Health, Light and Salt Association, Boat People SOS-Houston, HOPE Clinic, Avenue360, El Centro de Corazón, VN Teamwork, Inc., Spring Branch Health Center, Bee Busy Wellness Center, and more. To learn more about these and other local options, visit https://widget.getcoveredamerica.org/ to find assistance and book an appointment.
Dallas/Fort Worth: Organizations providing assistance include United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, City Square, Community Council of Greater Dallas, Light and Salt Association, Parkland Health, JPS Health Network, Mission East Dallas, Los Barrios Unidos Clinic, Prism Health, North Texas Area Community Health Center, and more. For more information on these and others options, visit Dallas County’s ACA webpage, scroll to the bottom, and click on “Local Marketplace Assistance.”
San Antonio: Organizations providing assistance include CentroMed, Bexar County Health Collaborative, MHP Salud, and CommuniCare. Visit enrollsa.com or call (210) 977-7997 for more information.
El Paso: For local assistance, call MHP Salud at (956) 246-4125; Amistad at (915) 298-7307; Centro San Vicente at (915) 858-2932; Project Vida at (915) 533-7057, ext. 340 or 381; or Centro De Salud Familiar La Fe at (915) 534-7979. Enrollment assistance also available from University Medical Center of El Paso.