Deadline Approaches To Sign Up For Marketplace Health Care
CHARLOTTE, NC — Medicaid expansion means additional healthcare for tens of thousands in the Charlotte area. It’s also created confusion for those looking for coverage.
Some don’t know if they qualify, others who are already using Marketplace health care, commonly known as Obamacare, aren’t sure if they should switch coverage with the deadline coming up soon.
Natalie Douglas is a Health Insurance Navigator at the Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy, an organization helping thousands in the Charlotte area swim the health care waters at no charge.
“We are seeing a lot of folks not totally know if they still qualify for Marketplace or if they qualify for Medicaid,” said Douglas.
It’s an important distinction as the December 15h deadline to sign up for Marketplace health care approaches. Factors like income, medical needs and number of people in the household all play a role in determining which coverage you qualify for.
“If you are eligible for full Medicaid, then you are no longer eligible for the tax credits on the marketplace and the tax credits on the marketplace is what makes it affordable for most families,” explained Douglas.
Single people earning about $20,000 per year or families of three earning about $34,000 per year are eligible through the Medicaid expansion.
Douglas says some choose not sign up for Medicaid, assuming they don’t qualify or that they won’t get the coverage they need.
“I would say the number one thing that we are up against right now is misinformation. Misinformation about what the Marketplace is and what those tax credits mean, misinformation about the quality of coverage that Medicaid provides,” Douglas tells WCCB’s Gary Brode.
The Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy is still taking appointments for the Friday deadline.
For more information or to schedule an appointment click here.Β
The Open Enrollment deadline of December 15, 2023, is for people to get coverage that starts January 1, 2024. If you miss the deadline, youΒ can still enroll until Jan. 16, 2024, but coverage will not start until February 1, 2024
