[Durham INC] Time Running Out for ACA Open Enrollment

[Angel Romero]

I'm part of the Access to Care Committee of the Partnership for a
Healthy Durham. Please share this with your neighborhoods:

Shopping for health care just got even more complicated due to the
current administration’s reduction in (Affordable Care Act) ACA
subsidies by $7 million. The 2018 Open Enrollment Period runs from
November 1, 2017 to December 15, 2017. It is important to note that
the 2018 Open Enrollment is shorter than in previous years. Plans sold
during Open Enrollment start January 1, 2018.

If individuals don't act by December 15, 2017 coverage will be
unavailable unless they qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Some
may qualify for Special Enrollment Periods allowing them to join
outside of Open Enrollment if they have certain life events such
getting married, having a baby or losing other coverage.

Individuals have multiple local options for enrollment such as calling
1-855-733-3711, visiting www.healthcare.gov or local agencies such as
MDC Inc., Durham County Department of Social Services or the Lincoln
Community Health Center.

Inadequate health insurance remains one of the top five concerns for
members of the Hispanic and Latino community in Durham County.
Healthcare facilities accepting Medicaid were ranked second in
services needing the most improvement in Hispanic and Latino
communities. Health services were also ranked as the number one
service to improve the quality of life of adults ages 65 and older.

The 2016 Durham County Community Health Assessment Survey identified
approximately 80% of Durham County residents were insured over the
past 12 months. Those that were uninsured listed cost, employer, and
immigration as their three primary reasons for lack of coverage. About
15% of Durham County residents reported that they or someone in their
household had difficulty accessing health care in the past 12 months.
Of those respondents, fifty percent reported insurance coverage as a
barrier to obtaining necessary healthcare while 33.3% reported that
the cost of the co-pay was a factor in preventing obtainment of
necessary healthcare.

The Partnership for a Healthy Durham collaborates with community
members and local organizations such as Lincoln Community Health
Center and Duke University Health System to improve the physical,
mental, and social health and well-being of Durham's residents. The
Partnership has five committees that focus on four health priorities:
Access to Care, HIV/STIs (sexually transmitted infections), Obesity
and Chronic Illness and Substance Use/Mental Health and
Communications. The Partnership for Healthy Durham Access to Care
committee has been working to educate about ACA enrollment. Please
share enrolment information with our fellow Durham residents.

Visit Lincoln Community Health Center, Inc.  Saturday Dec 2nd and Dec
9th from 8 am-12 pm to see a navigator. Also call 855-733-3711 to
schedule an appointment with a Lincoln Community Health Center
Navigator. Services are available in Spanish.

December 2nd
8 AM- 12 PM
Lincoln Community Health Center
1301 Fayetteville Rd., Durham, NC 27707

December 9th
8 AM- 12 PM
Lincoln Community Health Center
1301 Fayetteville Rd., Durham, NC 27707

Enrollment Help Durham
MDC Main Office
307 W. Main St.
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 381-5846


Durham County Social Services
414 E. Main Street
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 560-8000



-- 
Angel Romero
2524 Cascadilla St.
Durham, NC 27704-4406
USA