Thursday, Oct 25, 2018
LAWRENCE – The Greater Lawrence Community Action Council, Inc. is available to help residents sign up for health care during the state’s open enrollment period, which begins Nov. 1.
Open enrollment for plans offered by the Massachusetts Health Connector runs from Nov. 1, 2018 through Jan. 23, 2019. This is the time of year when anyone without health insurance can sign up for coverage, and when existing Health Connector members can shop for the best plan for the new year. The Health Connector will offer 57 plans from nine carriers.
“If you don’t have health insurance or are interested in a different plan, now is the time to sign up,’’ said Evelyn Friedman, GLCAC’s executive director. “Choosing a health plan can be a confusing process, but GLCAC is here to help families find an affordable option that fits everyone’s individual needs.’’
State law requires Massachusetts residents to have health insurance that meets state standards, or potentially face a tax penalty.
GLCAC has been designated an official Navigator by the Health Connector and will be open during the week and one Saturday a month during the open enrollment period to help residents gain access to health care coverage.
Call GLCAC at (978) 620-4784 to set up an appointment with a Navigator staff member. Appointments are recommended to reduce wait times.
During Open Enrollment, the Navigator program will be open from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and from 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The program will also be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the following Saturdays: Nov. 17, Dec. 15, and Jan. 12. Walk-in hours are available from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Monday – Thursday.
Information on health insurance options and online enrollment is available at www.mahealthconnector.org.
Massachusetts leads the nation in the rate of insured residents, with 97 percent of the state covered, according to the U.S. Census. Yet, there are still some residents without insurance.
According to the Health Connector, the three main groups that account for those still uninsured are ethnic populations, particularly Latino men; those who have left a job or are losing coverage from work; and people moving into Massachusetts from other places.
GLCAC, online at www.glcac.org, is a multi-faceted social services agency that assisted 32,648 individuals in 2017 through a range of programs including early childhood education, fuel assistance, WIC nutrition assistance, immigration services, lead poisoning prevention, child abuse prevention, English-language lessons, and consumer protection.