ORLANDO, Fla. — Central Florida residents can purchase health coverage through the online Federal Insurance Marketplace beginning October 1.
§ www.healthcare.gov allows people to enroll online.
§ The Federal Marketplace has a 24-hour call center (1-800-318-2596).
§ www.marketplace.cms.gov has an informational video on how to use the online Marketplace.
§ kff.org-health-reform/video/youtoons/health-reform-hits-main-street has a premium subsidy calculator and informational video in English and Spanish (Kaiser Family Foundation).
Because large numbers of people will try to enroll on October 1, it is important to note that consumers have several months in which to enroll. People who purchase health insurance by December 15 will have coverage beginning January 1, 2014.
Potential enrollees will need:
§ Drivers' license, birth certificate or other government-issued ID
§ Social Security or Immigration number
§ Phone number
§ Home address
§ Email address (a Navigator can help create one if necessary)
There are four types of plans: platinum, gold, silver and bronze. Individuals with incomes between 138% and 400% of the federal poverty level - up to $46,000 a year for individuals and $94,000 for families - may qualify for premium subsidies.*
Navigators
Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Lake Counties residents will also have access to federally funded Health Navigators - people trained to help "navigate" the Exchange Marketplace. These Navigators are part of the Primary Care Access Network (PCAN).
It is not necessary to have a Navigator to enroll in the Marketplace. Because there are 12 Navigators and nearly 300,000 uninsured people in the four counties they will serve, PCAN strongly recommends that consumers go to www.healthcare.gov first. People who need assistance can email their questions and contact information to pcanflorida@gmail.com and a Navigator will follow up with them as soon as possible.
Navigators will also work at community sites throughout Central Florida. A full schedule of these locations has not been published yet but will be updated regularly on the PCAN website: pcanorangecounty.com.
Navigators will be available on October 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the locations listed below. Navigators will not provide individual assistance on October 1, but will educate consumers on their options and offer follow-up assistance as needed.
Orange County Public Library - Albertson Room
5 Navigators
101 E. Central Boulevard
Orlando, FL 32801
Contact: Anne Packham
Osceola Council on Aging
2 Navigators
199 Shady Lane
Kissimmee, FL 32744
Contact: Warren Hougland
Seminole Sharing Center
2 Navigators
600 N. Highway 17-92, Suite 158
Longwood, FL 32750
Contact: Ken Peach Catholic Charities
2 Navigators
St. Luke Clinic
722 S. Grove Street
Eustis, FL 32726
Contact: Karen Beary
NOTE: There will be no Navigators at the Orange County Medical Clinic on Westmoreland Avenue on October 1.
WFTV
