OHI Announces Health Insurance Eligibility Still Available for Select Situations
The Health Insurance Marketplace of OHI (Ocean Health Initiatives), a federally qualified health care center, announced that some individuals and families may still be eligible to enroll in health insurance even though the formal open enrollment period has closed.
Special Open Enrollment in the Marketplace is available up to 60 days AFTER the following events have occurred: those who are recently married, had or adopted a child, had a change in immigration status, have been released from incarceration, received an exemption from Marketplace but now have a higher income; and anyone who lost health insurance because of leaving or losing a job, moving into New Jersey or moving from another part of New Jersey, divorced, turned 26 years of age and lost coverage on a parent’s plan, or lost eligibility for Medicaid or CHIP.
Beatriz C. Patino, the health exchange coordinator of the Health Exchange Marketplace Department for OHI, said, “These life-changing situations allow people to participate in this special enrollment period; however, it is important to remember that you must enroll within 60 days after the event occurred.”
People who can enroll ALL year include anyone eligible for Medicaid or have a child who is eligible for CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Plan); a small business owner who wants to offer coverage to employees; and a native American or Alaskan native.
Patino and Carmen E. Lopez and Sasha Andino, associates, and other qualified staff will answer questions, explain any changes, and help individuals sign up for health insurance.
Bilingual Certified Application Counselors in the OHI Health Exchange Marketplace department are available by appointment only. To schedule an appointment call 732-363-6655 or visit www.ohinj.org.
About Ocean Health Initiatives
OHI is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) federally qualified health center (FQHC) with locations at 101 Second Street, Lakewood; 301 Lakehurst Road, Toms River; 333 Haywood Road, Manahawkin; Clifton Avenue Elementary School, 625 Clifton Avenue, Lakewood; and the Mobile Medical Unit outside the George J. Mitchell Elementary School, 950 N. Green Street, Little Egg Harbor.
OHI provides comprehensive preventative and primary health and dental care to Ocean County uninsured and underinsured populations on a sliding-fee scale, based on an individual’s or family’s ability to pay. Services include pediatrics, maternal and child health, prenatal, WIC, universal immunizations, behavioral health, dental, family medicine, internal medicine, OB/GYN, podiatry and social services.
OHI has a bilingual staff available to assist patients and callers. To become a patient of OHI, call a representative in the Call Center at either 732-552-0377, Toms River, or 732-363-6655, Lakewood. Visit www.ohinj.org. for further information.