LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – The application deadline for open enrollment on healthcare.gov is just weeks away. With healthcare costs on the rise nationwide, the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services is reminding applicants of ways to save when applying for coverage.
The final deadline to submit applications is January 15th, but benefits applied for after the first deadline won’t begin until February.
Anita Fox, Director of DIFS said these insurance plans are comprehensive. Most include coverage for emergency services and hospitalization, pregnancy and maternity care, mental health, prescription drugs, as well as preventative and wellness care.
“This is a really important time for Michiganders who need health insurance to take a look at these Affordable Care Act or Obamacare, or these federal marketplace plans,” Fox said. “We know that people think insurance might be too complicated or it might be too expensive, but with the subsidies and this online or telephone portal, you can get the kind of help you need and you can get affordable coverage.”
You can apply for insurance through the healthcare marketplace both online and over the phone. 90 marketplace plans are now available for coverage in the U.P. Fox said that local help is available for those who need it, to give personalized answers to region-specific questions.
Fox gave a reminder that those who make less than $47,000 a year as an individual or $97,000 for a family of four, will still qualify for subsidies to assist with costs.
Fox said nationally, insurance costs have gone up, but Michigan’s increase was less than national trends, and has the fourth lowest benchmark rates in the country.
With the extension of the federal subsidies, Fox said they found that most people who applied. could get coverage for less than $10 a month.
With those deadlines approaching, Fox says it’s still important to take your time shopping the marketplace to pick the best plan that’s the best fit for you or your family.
Assistance is always available online at Michigan.gov/difs or over the phone at (877)999-6442.
