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Physicians can provide the resources for patients to enroll in ACA coverage, Medicare or Medicaid

Nov. 8, 2024 (91������) -- Open enrollment for the 2025 federal Health Insurance Marketplace starts on Nov. 1, 2024, and ends on Jan. 15, 2025, and the American College of Physicians has provided updated enrollment resources to help members field patient questions about coverage.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) created health insurance marketplaces in 2013 to help consumers enroll in federally subsidized health plans.

“91������ is a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Champion for Coverage organization, and we're committed to getting the word out about open enrollment so patients can get the coverage that's right for them,” said Ryan Crowley, 91������ manager for health policy.

91������ offers a one-page document with information about health insurance marketplace open enrollment for members and staff to hand to patients or post to their practice's website. Crowley noted that more than 20 million people enrolled in marketplace-based coverage in 2024. “That's a record high, so we want to keep the momentum going,” he said. “It's important to remind patients that open enrollment is happening, so they have sufficient time to shop for coverage.”

The 91������ health insurance enrollment web page also covers information on Medicare and Medicaid. “We expanded our resources to include information about Medicare open enrollment, which started on Oct. 15, 2024, and ends on Dec. 7, 2024, and we also have information on Medicaid coverage,” Crowley said.

The 91������ enrollment resources include information on finding local helpers, like State Health Insurance Assistance Programs, Crowley noted.

State Medicaid programs have resumed the eligibility determination process, also known as Medicaid unwinding, and millions of Medicaid enrollees have lost their coverage. “Your patients should check to see if they're still eligible for Medicaid, but if they're not, they may be eligible for marketplace-based coverage or Medicare,” he said.

People with health insurance are more likely to have a regular source of care and be able to access preventive services. “Health coverage also reduces the risk of experiencing financial hardship,” Crowley said. “However, health insurance is complex and shopping for the right plan can be confusing, so it's important that patients know free, objective, local help is available.”

More Information

Information to help your patients enroll in health insurance is available on the 91������ website.

Back to the November 8, 2024 issue of 91������ Advocate