Enroll or Change 2017 Marketplace Health Insurance Now at OHI – Appmts Available
Do you need health insurance? Do you want to change the insurance you have? Did you report exemptions? The Outreach and Enrollment team at OHI (Ocean Health Initiatives), a federally qualified health center, are scheduling appointments to help the general public and its patients with enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace, which began November 1, 2016, and will end January 31, 2017. Bilingual certified application counselors are available.
Appointments can be made at five OHI sites: Lakewood Health Center, 101 Second Street, Lakewood; Toms River Health Center, 301 Lakehurst Road, Toms River; Manahawkin Health Center, 333 Haywood Road, Manahawkin; Manchester Health Center, Lakehurst Circle Center II, 686 Route 70, Lakehurst; or SeaOaks Medical Campus,798 Route 539. Building 3, Little Egg Harbor.
Important Dates for 2017 Enrollment
- November 1, 2016: Open Enrollment started — first day to enroll, re-enroll, or change a 2017 insurance plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Coverage can start as soon as January 1, 2017.
- December 15, 2016: Last day to enroll in or change plans for coverage to start January 1, 2017.
- December 31, 2016: Deadline for reporting exemptions for the 2016 fiscal year.
- January 1, 2017: 2017 coverage starts for those who enroll or change plans by December 15.
- January 31, 2017: Last day to enroll in or change a 2017 health plan. After this date, you can enroll or change plans only if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
To sign up for health insurance at the time of an appointment, enrollees should bring their social security card; proof of income, such as paystubs, W-2 forms, or other income information; their employer’s information; and their date of birth. Eligible immigrants who want health coverage should bring their documents.
Sasha Andino and Carmen E. Lopez, associates of the Outreach and Enrollment Department, and other qualified OHI staff will answer questions, explain any changes, and help individuals sign up for health insurance. Associates will also help with exemptions, which must be reported before December 31, 2016 for the 2016 fiscal year. Those who miss the deadline for reporting exceptions may be fined.
For Open Enrollment appointments, and questions and information about OHI’s services, call Ocean Health Initiatives at 732-363-6655. For more information, contact Sasha Andino, outreach and enrollment associate, 848-210-0970 or Carmen Lopez at 732-966-3749.
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; Lakehurst Circle Center II, 686 Route 70 Lakehurst; Sea Oaks Medical Campus,798 Route 539. Building 3, Little Egg Harbor; a health center within the Clifton Avenue Elementary School, 625 Clifton Avenue, and Lakewood High School, 855 Somerset Avenue, Suite A, Lakewood; and a Mobile Medical Unit. The Lakewood and Manchester sites have pharmacies.
OHI provides comprehensive preventative and primary health and dental care to Ocean County’s insured, uninsured and underinsured populations. A sliding-fee scale is available, 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 732-363-6655. Visit www.ohinj.org for further information.