NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Health Department announced that the open enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Marketplace begins today, Nov. 1. Residents and small businesses are encouraged to visit the marketplace at www.healthcare.gov to directly compare and purchase private health insurance options, city reps said.
This year’s abbreviated enrollment period ends on Dec. 15.
If residents don’t act by this date, they will be unable to get coverage unless eligible for a special enrollment period, city reps said. Last year, more than 24,000 New Orleans residents enrolled in health insurance through the Marketplace, with 83 percent of enrollees receiving financial assistance to lower the cost of insurance.
Health Department Director Dr. Joseph Kanter said, “Across the nation and here in New Orleans, the Affordable Care Act has transformed lives for the better. The marketplace is an easy and affordable way to get covered. I encourage all of our residents who need health insurance to visit the marketplace and contact the Health Department to get help with enrolling.”
The Health Department along with healthcare partners such as 504HealthNet, the regional consortium of community health centers, is actively involved in Marketplace outreach and enrollment with staff members across the city specially trained in enrollment assistance, city reps said.
For direct enrollment assistance, individuals can:
• Visit any of the area’s community health centers—visit 504HealthNet.org to find a health center near you.
• Call 1-800-318-2596
• Get help enrolling by contacting the Health Department via 311 or by visiting the Health Department’s website: www.nola.gov/marketplace
