There are big changes on the horizon for health care.
Open enrollment for health care Marketplace coverage begins on Nov. 1, and millions of families are about to get a big surprise when they learn their premiums are about to skyrocket.
Many people who get health insurance through the Marketplace receive tax credits that reduce their monthly premiums. These credits help 96% of Wyomingites afford health insurance on the Marketplace.
Congress has decided to let those credits expire, causing 11,000-20,000 Wyoming residents to lose their healthcare coverage because they can’t afford the premium costs, which will increase by thousands of dollars.
Wyoming already ranks 49th in the nation for affordable and accessible medical care, and our residents are facing the steepest increases in health care costs in decades.
Here are things you can do to get prepared and stay informed.
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Go to Healthcare.gov and update your information as soon as possible.
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Do not rely on auto-enrollment.
You don’t want to find out in January when your first bill comes, how much your rates have increased.
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Read all notices.
Read all notices from the Marketplace and your insurer and respond to requests quickly.
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Get help at Wyoming211.org.
Funding cuts mean fewer agency staff to help, so be patient.