CFVH, MRHC partner on healthcare Marketplace enrollment event

PLAINS - March 31 is the deadline to apply for health insurance for 2014 under the Affordable Care Act. Clark Fork Valley Hospital and Mineral Regional Health Center are both Certified Application Counselor organizations with staff trained to assist individuals in obtaining insurance through the online Federal insurance exchange at Healthcare.gov.

The two facilities are partnering with the Sanders County Health Department to sponsor an event on March 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to assist residents of Sanders and Mineral counties who wish to explore their options and secure insurance before the March 31 deadline. They will have service representatives on hand from Cognosante to assist with the enrollment process. In addition, Morgan Hirschenberger, an independent insurance broker/consultant from Payne Financial Group will be on hand to answer questions about the alternative plans, tax credits and various issues related to the healthcare reform law.

The enrollment event will be held at Clark Fork Valley Hospital, in Building 2, the former Assisted Living Building closest to Plains High School (enter via Horizon Lane, turn right past the main entrance to CFVH). Anyone who has questions about their options in the insurance exchange or who might need help enrolling in a plan is urged to attend. Refreshments will be provided. In order to make an application for insurance, you should bring income documentation, such as your most recent tax return. Eligibility for financial assistance is based on gross income and household size.

“Sanders and Mineral counties are both among the highest rate of uninsured residents in the state,” said Greg Hanson MD, CEO of Clark Fork Valley Hospital. “Those individuals who have income at 100-135 percent of the Federal Poverty Level can essentially receive tax credits to offset the entire cost of their insurance.”

Unfortunately, for those who fall below the Federal Poverty Level, there is no access to the exchange or assistance, since Montana did not expand its Medicaid program. Estimates were that approximately 1,000 residents of Sanders County alone would have qualified for Medicaid under the health reform expansion, had the legislature approved it. Efforts are currently underway to sponsor a voter initiative for the November ballot to expand eligibility for Medicaid in Montana to individuals earning up to 138 percent of the Federal Poverty level. It is estimated that the Medicaid expansion would benefit up to 70,000 uninsured individuals in the state.

For questions, contact Russell Logan at Clark Fork Valley Hospital, 826-4813.