Mahaska Health Partnership Certified to Assist with Health Insurance Marketplace
Mahaska Health Partnership
MAHASKA COUNTY – Mahaska Health Partnership has staff available to answer questions and assist individuals in registering for insurance on the national Health Insurance Marketplace, sometimes called the health insurance “exchange.”
Getting health insurance before Feb. 15, 2015 is necessary to avoid tax penalties. Whether you are completely new to the process or get halfway through and need additional assistance, MHP’s certified application counselors can help with the process.
According to the Iowa Hospital Association, Medicaid expansion is doing what it was intended to do – making healthcare more accessible and affordable for Iowans who have gained eligibility and coverage. During the first six months of 2014, the number of people hospitalized in Iowa without insurance fell by 45.7 percent, compared to the same period last year. However, the process of getting health insurance through the national exchange can still be confusing and could lead to people making poor choices.
“The healthcare rules can be confusing for everyone,” Certified Application Counselor Kelli Fleener said. “A number of MHP staff have training about health insurance laws so we can assist. Whether you are a new enrollee or would like to have your information reevaluated to ensure your coverage still fits your needs, we can help.”
In order to have coverage begin Jan. 1, 2015, enrollment should be completed by Dec. 15, 2014. “You can continue to enroll in 2015, however, coverage will not begin until the start of the following month,” Fleener shared. “Everyone is required to have health insurance, so being proactive can help avoid penalties.”
MHP Certified Application Counselors are available to answer questions and help people search for plans that best fit their needs. Meeting with a counselor will take approximately one hour, but each situation is different.
To schedule an appointment, call 641.672.3362 or email insurancehelp@mahaskahealth.org. For more information regarding healthcare regulations and the Affordable Care Act, visit healthcare.gov.
Mahaska Health Partnership, located in Oskaloosa, is a non-profit health system accredited by the Joint Commission. It is guided by its mission to provide exceptional customer service and health improvement, linking the science of medicine with the humanity of compassionate care. For more information about how Mahaska Health Partnership is making healthcare personal, look us up on the web: mahaskahealth.org.
