Begin work to enroll in coverage for health care before holidays hit

Many people find the frenzied pace of November and December a bit overwhelming.

School concerts, parent-teacher conferences, holiday parties and events, shopping, work deadlines, inclement weather, family visits, travel, additional church and community activities, and other events can leave individuals and families stretched thin and exhausted. If you pick up a winter cold or the flu during this period, it’s even worse.

January isn’t much better, as winter has settled in, and everyone is back to work and school after the holidays. Inboxes are full, task lists are long, and the holiday glow has worn off. Additionally, you must enroll by Dec. 23 for coverage in January.

There is one thing you can get a jump on, though. If you don’t have coverage through your or your spouse’s employer, you can create an account now and enroll in health coverage through Washington HealthPlanFinder beginning Nov. 1. Enrollment for Medicaid/CHIP and for members of federally recognized tribes runs year-round.

There are many excellent reasons to enroll in health coverage for 2016. While this won’t have the delivery of a former late night host’s Top Ten lists, I think you’ll still find it interesting.

1. For 2015 coverage in Washington, almost 78 percent of consumers received tax credits averaging $260 per person.

2. Most consumers liked their health coverage according to surveys by Kaiser Family Foundation and by the Commonwealth Fund.

3. Consumers received peace of mind according to a survey by the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions.

4. All Qualified Health Plans cover essential health benefits, including many free preventive health services for adults, women and children.

5. Enrollment help is available locally (go to www.wahealthplanfinder.org and click on “Find a Broker” or “Find a Navigator” for local assistance information) and by phone at 855-923-4633 in a number of languages.

6. Your children can stay on your plan until they turn 26.

7. Women can’t be charged more for health insurance simply for being female.

8. No one can be charged more or be denied coverage for a pre-existing condition.

9. As of the end of June, 9.9 million people were enrolled in their Marketplace plans.

10. For 2016 you can face an increased tax penalty if you fail to obtain coverage.

Open Enrollment only lasts three months, from now through Jan. 31. Two of those months are arguably the busiest of the year for many people.

Get an early start! Enroll now, relax, and enjoy the benefits of health coverage and the peace of mind it brings all through 2016!

Susan Johnson is the Region 10 director for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Friday, March 29

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Initiative promoter Tim Eyman takes a selfie photo before the start of a session of Thurston County Superior Court, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, in Olympia, Wash. Eyman, who ran initiative campaigns across Washington for decades, will no longer be allowed to have any financial control over political committees, under a ruling from Superior Court Judge James Dixon Wednesday that blasted Eyman for using donor's contributions to line his own pocket. Eyman was also told to pay more than $2.5 million in penalties. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Editorial: Initiative fee increase protects process, taxpayers

Bumped up to $156 from $5, the increase may discourage attempts to game the initiative process.

Schwab: Who was Langerhans? And when’s the ferry to his islets?

The Herald’s resident retired surgeon slices into the anatomy of the etymology of our anatomy.

Comment: Cervial cancer treatable; if you’re screened for it

A screening for cervical cancer can detect cancerous or precancerous cells and direct treatment.

Comment: Framers gave us Goldilocks Constitution; let’s use it

It was meant to be resilient, not perfect, but it has to be used as designed toward workable solutions.

Comment: GOP in Congress isn’t fighting crime; it’s arming it

Budget cuts to the FBI and ATF and other riders have made it easier for criminals to get firearms.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Thursday, March 28

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Washington state senators and representatives along with Governor Inslee and FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez break ground at the Swift Orange Line on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Community Transit making most of Link’s arrival

The Lynnwood light rail station will allow the transit agency to improve routes and frequency of buses.

Protecting forests and prevent another landslide like Oso

Thank you for the powerful and heartbreaking article about the Oso landslide… Continue reading

Boeing’s downfall started when engineers demoted

Boeing used to be run by engineers who made money to build… Continue reading

Learn swimming safety to protect kids at beach, pool

Don’t forget to dive into water safety before hitting the pool or… Continue reading

An image of Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin is reflected in a storefront window during the State of the City Address on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at thee Everett Mall in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Editorial: State of city address makes case for Everett’s future

Mayor Franklin outlines challenges and responses as the city approaches significant decisions.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.