Open enrollment began for Oregon residents looking to purchase, change, or renew insurance policies through the Affordable Care Act exchange but, the time frame is shorter than usual, according to OregonLive. The enrollment period for Healthcare.gov ends December 15 this year, which is nearly half the length of last year. The majority of Oregonians receive health insurance through their jobs, but around 210,000 residents purchase insurance on the individual market.
Since the enrollment time frame is only 45 days long, here’s what you need to know.
- Healthcare.gov will shut down for 12 hours every Sunday, except December 10. The exchange will be shut down in Oregon from 12 a.m. to 12 p.m. So, try to avoid enrolling on a Sunday.
- If you need more information or any assistance for enrolling on the ACA exchange, you have plenty of options. If you visit OregonHealthCare.gov/gethelp, you can access trained experts and certified community groups who will help you at no cost. It’s important to note that you can only receive plan advice from licensed insurance agents.
- If you already have a plan on the exchange, check in and get financial assistance to make sure that your plan meets your needs and your budget, since premiums are spiking this year. If you re-evaluate your plan, you can save money. So, don’t just automatically renew your plan.
- For other state resources, contact the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace staff by phone at 1-855-268-3767 (toll free)
