4 things you need to know in NC about open enrollment for Affordable Care Act insurance

Open enrollment for Affordable Care Act health insurance plans started this week — and there are a few things you need to know.

Health care coverage is available through HealthCare.gov, the federal government’s health insurance marketplace. Anyone who needs health insurance coverage starting Jan. 1 must enroll in a plan by Dec. 15.

Here’s what else to know about choosing a plan under the Affordable Care Act’s Health Insurance Marketplace, also known as Obamacare.

New choices for ACA insurance carriers

There are three new insurance carriers offering plans for the Mecklenburg County area this year, the Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy said in a statement this week.

Along with Blue Cross Blue Shield and Bright Health, consumers can now get policies from Centene (Ambetter), United Healthcare and Aetna.

Open Enrollment period

The open enrollment period is longer this year, running from Nov. 1 through Jan. 15.

But consumers must enroll by Dec. 15 in order to have coverage starting Jan. 1. Any applications submitted or updated Dec. 16 through Jan. 15 will start on Feb. 1.

After the Jan. 15 deadline, adjustments and new enrollments will be available only for major life events, including marriage, divorce, job loss or a new child.

Get free assistance

The Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy provides free assistance to Cabarrus, Mecklenburg and Union county residents looking for health care coverage on HealthCare.gov.

And local navigators are available to help consumers in other parts of the state, including Legal Aid of NC in Raleigh and Durham.

Free appointments can be made using the statewide appointment hotline at 855-733-3711 or online at www.ncnavigator.net.

Affordable coverage

Most Marketplace consumers — four out of five — will qualify for healthcare.gov coverage that’s less than $10 a month, according to NC Navigator Consortium.

Find more information online through the Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy at https://charlottelegaladvocacy.org/getcovered/

Hannah Smoot

The Charlotte Observer

704-358-5349

Hannah Smoot covers business in Charlotte, focusing on health care and transportation. She has been covering COVID-19 in North Carolina since March 2020. She previously covered money and power at The Rock Hill Herald in South Carolina and is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.