By Cameron Rasmusson
Reader Staff
Time is running short for Idaho residents planning on using the state health insurance exchange to finalize their health care plan for the coming year.
Residents have until midnight Saturday, Dec. 15, to ensure their coverage is locked in for 2019 through Your Health Idaho, www.yourhealthidaho.org. With nearly 300 health and dental plans available from seven insurance carriers available through the exchange, residents can pick between low-cost bronze plans that protect against medical catastrophes to higher-cost silver and gold plans that cover more specialized health care needs.
“We want to encourage Idahoans to enroll in health insurance and check to see if they are eligible for a tax credit to help offset costs of monthly premiums for health insurance. Nine in 10 Idahoans signing up for health insurance at Your Health Idaho qualify for a tax credit, and most save 80 percent on monthly premiums. This savings helps many Idahoans get the coverage they need. Also, there are many Idahoans who may still be uninsured and don’t know that they may be eligible for a tax credit,” said Pat Kelly, executive director of Your Health Idaho.
The options for coverage can be overwhelming, but fortunately, help is just around the corner. Visit the Your Health Idaho website and click the “Find Help” tab to search for an insurance agent or broker, who have been trained to provide free consultations to individuals seeking insurance.
Your Health Idaho remains the best tool for most Idahoans to finalize their health care arrangements. According to Your Health Idaho, “more than 90,000 individuals and families are enrolled in health insurance through Your Health Idaho.”
“Enrollment numbers for health insurance on the exchange remains strong in Idaho. We attribute this success to Idahoans understanding the value of having health insurance coverage and knowing how their benefits help them especially when they need it most,” said Kelly.
For additional help, call the Your Health Idaho support center at 855-944-3246 Monday through Friday this week from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 15, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
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