Now is the time to get help finding a health plan that fits your needs!
Oregonians who are looking for an affordable, private health insurance plan to fit their needs and those of their family have until Tuesday, Jan. 16 to sign up for 2024 coverage.
Mosaic Community Health is available to help anyone in our community enroll in health coverage through the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace. We have offices throughout Central Oregon. Make an appointment by calling Mosaic at 541-647-2717. Our enrollment team at Mosaic is here to help!
Please read on for answers to Frequently Asked Questions about open enrollment and health insurance, provided by Oregon Health Authority.
What is the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace?
- The Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace offers quality health plans designed to meet all basic needs and more.
- The Marketplace provides the opportunity to shop, compare plans and enroll while also applying for financial assistance. Financial help is available to Oregonians who qualify to help pay for monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs.
- Between Nov. 1 and Jan. 16 you can go to OregonHealthCare.gov/WindowShop to:
- Determine Your Eligibility: Find out if you qualify for financial assistance
- Compare Plans: Explore the array of available plans in your area
- Review Coverage Details: Understand what each plan covers and its associated costs
Does the law still require people to get health insurance?
- For 2024 there is still no penalty for not having health coverage. It’s still smart to get covered. Health insurance helps you stay healthy and avoid huge bills if you get sick or injured. And you may qualify for help paying for coverage through the Marketplace.
Are premiums out of control?
- Premiums have risen moderately in recent years, but the effects of premium increases are not typically felt by most people enrolled through the Marketplace. The reason for this is that nearly 80 percent of Oregonians who enroll through the Marketplace receive financial help to make the monthly premium more affordable. Even so, people paying full-price for health coverage will find it a substantial purchase, one that takes thought and some hard decisions.
- For example, a Standard Silver Plan premium for a 32-year-old in Portland can be as low as $70 per month with savings. For 2023, Oregonians who applied for financial help through the Marketplace paid an average monthly premium of about $224 after tax credits.
Who can get financial help?
- Nearly eight out of ten people in Oregon qualify for financial help for health coverage. This includes savings on their monthly premium and on out-of-pocket costs like deductibles, copayments and coinsurance.
- Our team at Mosaic Community Health can help Oregonians determine the financial help they qualify for.
Is the Marketplace only for Oregonians who are uninsured?
- The Marketplace is available for all Oregon residents looking for health insurance. We offer free assistance to ensure you find the coverage you need. 96% of Oregonians are covered, and while we are trying to get the remaining 4% covered, there are potential savings available through the Marketplace for those who are currently insured.
- There are options available to help identify coverage within your budget, potentially at a price point lower than your current insurance. For example, an insurance plan that may be more affordable than employer-provided coverage.
- To determine if you’re eligible for a more affordable plan through the Marketplace, check out orhim.info/ESIcoverage.
Why is it important to secure a health insurance plan during open enrollment (Nov. 1 – Jan. 16)?
- Open Enrollment is the only time of year anyone can explore and sign up for health insurance, if they do not receive health insurance through their employer or a public program such as the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) or Medicare.
- Coverage start dates depend on when you enroll:
- Those who enroll between Nov. 1 – Dec. 15, 2023, will have coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2024.
- Those who enroll between Dec. 16, 2023 – Jan. 16, 2024, will have coverage beginning Feb. 1, 2024.
- If you miss open enrollment, you may find that you cannot enroll or make changes to your coverage until the following year.
- However, qualifying life events such as job loss, birth, adoption, marriage and more can trigger a special enrollment period that will allow for mid-year enrollments and plan changes.
You can get help applying for health coverage for free. Contact Mosaic Community Health to make an appointment: call us at 541-647-2717.
For additional help: visit OregonHealthCare.gov/GetHelp or call the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace at 855-268-3767 (toll-free).
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