Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium is urging those eligible to sign up for health care through the Affordable Care Act marketplace before the deadline on Dec. 15.
SEARHC is offering help to anyone, even those not covered by the local health authority, in navigating the healthcare.gov website.
“Depending on your income, age and family size, you may be eligible for assistance paying for your monthly premiums and other out of pocket expenses,” a press release from SEARHC said. “For example, if you are a single person that makes between $21,528 and $62,400, you maybe eligible for assistance to lower your costs.
Single people between the ages of 19-64 making less that $21,528 and married couples making less than $21,159, you may be eligible for Medicaid, the release said. You can apply for Medicaid by paper or through the My Alaska website.
“The majority of those that apply for health insurance on the Marketplace can get low-cost plans,” Andrea Thomas, SEARHC patient health benefit manager, said in the release. “SEARHC Patient Health Benefit staff are specially trained to help people navigate the process of getting insurance coverage and avoid common Marketplace pitfalls. I strongly encourage anyone that would like to explore their options to contact our office.”
SEARHC is a Certified Application Counselor agency offering free assistance to all Southeast residents by appointment, either in person or by telephone. Those interested are encouraged to contact the Patient Health Benefits office at outreach@searhc.org or 907.966.8883.
• Contact reporter Peter Segall at 523-2228 or psegall@juneauempire.com.