Open enrollment is underway for Obamacare and an Athens navigator says the numbers are surprising.
Changes in the funding for out-of-pocket costs for the Affordable Care Act, have resulted in unforeseen discounts for many of those seeking coverage. Harold Webber is a Health Plan Navigator and Outreach Coordinator at Athens Neighborhood Health Center. He says those unexpected lower, and in some cases, no premiums, have resulted in a boom in enrollment.
“Enrollments are up 46% in the first two weeks, which has been a real shocker,” according to Webber. "With all the news about reduced advertising, reduced number navigators, that is no small increase, that’s an absolute surge. If you look at the number of people that are coming to the website and the number of people who have completed applications, they’re filling the pipeline. It’s up similarly.”
The open enrollment period has been shortened, it ends December 15 this year.
Visit www.healthcare.gov to find a local navigator.
