Open enrollment begins for ACA

Open enrollment for health care plans under the Affordable Care Act, also known as "Obamacare," started Monday. The American Rescue Plan Act increased the tax credit available to people insured through the Affordable Care Act in 2021, and this will continue in 2022, said Heidi Rupp of HSR Insurance in Findlay. "Definitely update your application," she advised. Julie Grasson, assistant director for Toledo/Lucas County CareNet, said tax credits are available for people earning up to 600% of the poverty line this year. CareNet, part of the Ohio Association of Food Banks consortium, provides navigators to help people enroll in insurance in 21 northwest Ohio counties. Grasson said the organization can help a person sign up through healthcare.gov or through Medicaid. More information is at getcoveredohio.org Rupp said Hancock County has one new insurance carrier coming into the market, but the insurance carrier is still determining who is in network. She reminded people seeking insurance to make sure their doctors take their insurance. Grasson noted that, this year, the open enrollment period continues through Jan. 15. However, those who want their coverage to start on Jan. 1 must sign up by Dec. 15. (Coverage will begin Feb. 1 for anyone signing up between Dec. 15 and Jan. 15, according to healthcare.gov.) Grasson said it's important to keep in mind that plans may auto-renew if clients don't take action. In some cases, however, the plan an individual is on might not exist anymore, and the person might be automatically enrolled in something similar but not identical. She said it's a good idea to pay attention and not assume the plan is the same as last year's. Noting that this is also the open enrollment period for Medicare, Rupp said she is already becoming busy and expects to be more so. But, she said, people seem happy to be able to meet with her in person after communicating remotely last year. Arthurs: 419-427-8494