Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
Time is running out before the first big deadline to get signed up for healthcare through the Affordable Care Act, and Pisgah Legal Services is ready to help. Here’s the press release:
As the Affordable Care Act open enrollment first major deadline nears, Pisgah Legal Services is ramping up efforts to connect North Carolinians with coverage by hosting free events where people can receive in-person assistance on Wednesday, Dec. 14. December 15 is the deadline for North Carolinians to enroll in health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace and have their plan begin on January 1.
Pisgah Legal Services will educate people about their options under the Affordable Care Act and in-person assisters will help people to enroll on Wednesday, December 14 at PLS Offices in Asheville, Hendersonville and Rutherfordton. Walk-in appointments are available at all sites and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. People can also schedule appointments in advance by calling 1-855-733-3711 or visiting www.getcoveredamerica.org/connector
What: Affordable Care Act Dec. 15 Deadline Enrollment Events
Who: Pisgah Legal Services
When: Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Where/What Times:
· PLS Asheville Office, 62A Charlotte Street: 9am-6:45pm
· PLS Hendersonville Office, 440 S. Church Street: 9am-6pm
· PLS Rutherfordton Office, 169 North Main Street: 9am-6pm
The enrollment events come after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released numbers last week showing that over 134,000 North Carolinians enrolled in Affordable Care Act coverage in the first 26 days of this year’s open enrollment period which runs from November 1 to January 31. Over 613,000 North Carolinians enrolled in the last open enrollment period. Ninety-two percent of North Carolinians who enrolled in the last open enrollment period got financial assistance to help them pay for their monthly premiums.
Consumers should bring the following to the enrollment events:
Social Security Numbers or document numbers for immigrants;
Employer name and phone number, and income information for every member of your household who is working or has income and needs coverage;
Policy numbers for current health insurance plans covering members of your household.
Pisgah Legal Services is a nonprofit law firm providing free civil legal aid since 1978 to help low-income people meet their basic needs, such as protection from domestic violence, avoiding homelessness, finding safe housing, and accessing health care and subsistence income. For more information, call Pisgah Legal Services at 828-253-0406 or toll free at 800-489-6144 or visit www.pisgahlegal.org.