Enrollment help at Coast Community Health Center

Start planning for an active, healthy year in 2018. Health insurance open enrollment starts November 1 and ends December 15, 2017. Staff at Coast Community Health Center can help individuals and families check eligibility and apply for private 2018 Health Insurance Marketplace policies or Oregon Health Plan. Insurance plans start January 1 for those who sign up during open enrollment.

The health center’s enrollment assisters are trained and ready to offer free, confidential guidance. Insurance enrollment sessions are available by appointment at Coast Community Health Center offices in Bandon and Port Orford. Or, visit a drop-in session at a community locations in Bandon, Langlois and Port Orford. Call 541-347-2529 in Bandon, 541-332-1114 in Port Orford.

Those who qualify for OHP can enroll any time, but policies must be renewed annually. Enrollment in 2018 private, employer or Marketplace plans closes December 15. Those with secure internet access can learn more about OHP and Federal Marketplace plans online at healthcare.oregon.gov.

Prep for your enrollment appointment, and find drop-in sessions near you: Visit our Health Insurance Enrollment page.

Cost saving through the Marketplace

It’s worthwhile to check options for marketplace and OHP plans. Oregon residents who qualified for Marketplace plans saved an average of $100 per month in 2017, according to the Department of Consumer and Business Services. Despite some changes to federal health care policies, cost-sharing reductions are still available through the Insurance Marketplace.

Just note that the enrollment period is shorter this year, closing before the Christmas holiday.

Patients who enrolled in 2017 Marketplace policies will note some changes in options. Moda and Providence continue to offer in-network Marketplace policies in 2018 for residents in Coos and Curry counties. Bridgespan and Pacific Source offer policies in Oregon, but patients may pay out-of-network rates. Lifewise of Oregon will not offer 2018 policies to Oregon residents. For more information about the health center’s payment and insurance billing options, visit our Paying for Your Visit page, or call the health center.

OHP available for children and youth

In addition to renewing re-insurance agreements with Marketplace insurance companies to keep costs down, Oregon has also expanded OHP coverage for children. OHP is the state’s Medicaid program for low income residents from all walks of life, including adults and children. All youth under the age of 18 are eligible. Families are encouraged to check eligibility for the children in their households, even if they’re already covered by another insurance plan.

“If your children are covered with a private or Marketplace plan, they may still qualify for OHP, which provides broad coverage as a secondary plan,” said Lennae Wright, Outreach and Enrollment Manager for Coast Community Health Center.

A secondary OHP plan can cover gaps in private insurance, or cover costs for common medical needs when the child hasn’t met the annual deductible for their private plan.

Insurance for young adults

College students and independent young adults can take advantage of cost-saving health insurance options.

Those 18 years and older who aren’t covered by parent or employer insurance can learn more about Oregon policies and get help shopping the Health Insurance Marketplace with enrollment assisters at Coast Community Health Center. The service is free and confidential.

Appointments and Drop-In Sessions

Find more information about enrollment assistance on our Insurance Enrollment page.

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