544,950 people in N.C. enroll in Marketplace coverage
SPECIAL TO
THB CHRONICLE
As of Dec. 19, the num
ber of consumers signed up
for Marketplace coverage
surged to more than 8.2
million nationally, includ
ing 544,950 in North
Carolina. Those who
selected a plan by Dec. 17
or were auto re-enrolled
will have coverage effec
tive Jan. 1,2016.
High consumer demand
as we neared the enroll
ment deadline for Jan. 1
coverage, as well as the
automatic renewal process,
contributed to this overall
total.
"Millions of Americans
will start 2016 with the
quality and affordable
health coverage they want
and need to keep their fam
ilies healthy and financially
secure," said Department
of Health and Human
Services Secretary Sylvia
Burwell. "We are encour
aged by the strong start we
experienced in the first half
of Open Enrollment for
2016 coverage, arid know
we have ongoing work to
do. We are focused on mak
ing sure North Carolina
families looking for cover
age understand their
options through the
Marketplace, know about
the financial assistance
available, and have access
to the support they need to
enroll."
These data, for the first
time, reflect the vast major
ity of consumers who were
automatically re-enrolled
into 2016 coverage. The re
enrollment process has not
yet been completed so, as it
continues, upcoming snap
shots will include addition
al consumers who were
automatically re-enrolled
after Dec. 19. If a consumer
realized after the deadline
for coverage starting Jan. 1
that there is a better plan
for their family, they can
come back and make a
change any time before the
end of Open Enrollment on
January 31,2016.
Open Enrollment for
2016 health coverage at
HealthCare.gov began
Nov. 1,2015, and individu
als can still enroll in cover
age through Jan. 31, 2016.
Consumers should visit
HealthCare.gov to review
their coverage options,
learn about what financial
assistance is available, or to
sign up or re-enroll in a
plan that best meets their
needs.
Having health insur
ance when you can afford it
is now the law. If someone
chooses not to buy health
insurance and could afford
to do so, they are at risk of
paying a fee of $695 or
more.
Facts about Open
Enrollment in North
Carolina:
Since Open Enrollment
began on Nov. 1, 544,950
North Carolina consumers
have selected a plan
through Dec. 19.
Plans for 2016 are
affordable, 81 percent of
North Carolina enrollees
can find plans for $75 or
less a month in premiums
after tax credits.
Nationwide, about 8 out of
10 people who enroll in
health coverage through
HealthCare.gov qualify for
financial help to make their
monthly premiums more
affordable.
For 2016,84 percent of
returning North Carolina
HealthCare.gov consumers
could save an average of
$663 annually in premiums
before tax credits for a plan
in the same level of cover
age by returning to shop. If
a consumer realized after
the deadline for coverage
starting Jan. 1 that there is a
better plan for their family,
they can come back and
make a change any time
before the end of Open
Enrollment on Jan. 31,
2016.
When North Carolina
customers visit
HealthCare.gov they'll find
a variety of quality health
coverage options available.
For 2016, North Carolina
consumers can choose
from three issuers and ao
average of 24 plans.
Free confidential
enrollment help is available
if people in North Carolina
have questions or want to
talk through their options
with a trained professional.
Visit
LocalHelp.HealthCare.gov
to find a listing of enroll
ment centers and events in
your community where
free, confidential enroll
ment help is offered.
Representatives at the
24-hour Call Center are
available every day at 1
800-318-25%. Call Centei
representatives can answei
questions and help people
enroll in coverage over the
phone.
SciWorks announces eclectic January schedule
SPECIAL TO
THE CHRONICLE
SciWorks, 400 W.
Hanes Mill Road,
announces its January
events. Go to www.sci
woiks.org or call 336-767
6730 for more information.
Homeschool/Small
Group Day at SdWorks
Tuesday, Jan. 5,
? 10 and 11 am.
Special programs for
home-educated children
and other small groups.
"Pop, Bubble, Fizz"
(grades K-4) at 10 a.m. and
"Magical Mixtures"
(grades 5-9) at 11 a.m.
Group admission rates
apply, and preOregistration
is required. Call -336-714
7105 for more information
or to register.
Musikgarten Class at
SciWorks
Sunday,Jan. 10,
* 2 pjn.
Join us for a
Musikgarten demo class
for children ages 18
months to 4 years. Learn
more about this music and
movement education at
www.musikgarten.org.
Included with museum
admission.
Motion Mania!
Exhibit at SciWorks
Saturday, Jan. 16
through Sunday, May 15
Visitors of all ages can
test their design skills as
they create roller coasters,
race tracks and superhigh
ways, all while learning
about friction, force and
energy. This hands-on
exhibit helps participants
develop their skills of
observation, investigation,
questioning and experi
mentation as they discover
what factors affect how
things move. Included with
-museum admission.
Tuesday-Friday, 10 ajn.-4
pjn.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-5
pjn.; Sunday, Noon-5 p.m.
Stargazing at
SdWorks
Saturday, Jan. 16,
* 6-9 pjn.
Join SciWorks staff and
the Forsyth Astronomical
Society for a free astrono
? my observation in the
SciWorks parking lot using
professional-grade tele
scopes. In case of bad
weather, call 336-767-'
6730 after 5:30 pm for an
update.
Frozen Science
Fun Day
Saturday, Jan. 23 *
' 1-4 p.m.
If you missed last
year's blockbuster event,
here's your second chance!
Explore the FROZEN
world of ice and snow as
you create a snowstorm in
a test tube, make instant
snow, experiment with dry
ice, and enjoy a meet-and
greet with special guests
Elsa and Anna! (Inclement
weather date: Jan. 30.)
Included with museum
admission.
Pittsburg Avenue
closing until Jan. 13
The block of Pittsburg
Avenue between Burton
and 23rd streets is closed
to through traffic to replace
a storm drain pipe and
rebuild a catch basin.
Weather permitting,
construction should be
completed and the street
reopened by Jan. 13. A
detour will be posted.
The closure began
Wednesday morning, Dec.
30.
For more information
call CityLink 311.
Have a Story Idea?
Let us Know
nm@wschroniclem
i 0
Plwto by Ontario Science CeMei
The Motion Mania! exhibit, which is what this student is working with, will start Jan. 16 at SciWorks in
Winston-Salem.
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Hl&iiii 'kadi ii' i t - k? Al|1 ft: J IjB
251 EAST 7TH STREET * WINSTON-SALEM, HC
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Bttril I IFaViS 3 ^1
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Contact events@nwcdc.org
336.721.1215
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