Enrollment into the Affordable Care Act Begins TODAY!

Starting TODAY, October 1, 2013, you can apply and enroll in health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace at HealthCare.gov. Health coverage starts as early as January 1, 2014, and open enrollment ends on March 31, 2014.  If you or someone you know needs insurance, check out the choices available on Maryland's new health benefit exchange!

Through the Marketplace, you can apply, compare all your options, and find out if you can get lower costs on monthly premiums or get free or low-cost coverage. When you’re ready to enroll, you’ll decide how you pay your premiums or get help signing up for Medicaid or CHIP if you’re eligible.

Prepare to apply

The Marketplace offers different types of health plans to meet a variety of needs and budgets.

You’ll need to figure out how much you want to spend on health coverage each month.

Most people using the Marketplace will qualify to save money. To find out how much you’re eligible for when you apply, it will help to have these things close by*:

• Social Security numbers (or document numbers for legal immigrants)
• Birth dates
• Pay stubs, W-2 forms, or “Wage and Tax Statements”
• Policy numbers for any current health insurance
•  Information about any health insurance you or your family could get from your job
  
  *Be sure to bring these items with you to Councilman Henry’s "Evening on Your Health" if planning to be enrolled on-site.

Marketplace resources to help you now

There are resources available right now to help you learn about types of health coverage, research your questions, and get ready to choose a health plan that gives you the right balance of costs and coverage.

• Visit HealthCare.gov and subscribe to learn about key dates, news, and updates; or chat online with a Marketplace Call Center representative.
• Call the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596. TTY users should call 1-855-889-4325.
• Like Facebook.com/HealthCareGov.
• Follow @HealthCareGov on Twitter.

And don't forget to join Councilman Henry and representatives from HealthCare Access Maryland for "An Evening on Your Health" to learn more and get enrolled: Tuesday, October 29 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in Parker Conference Rooms 3&4 at Good Samaritan Hospital, 5601 Loch Raven Boulevard.