First State Obamacare enrollment is up from this time last year – as the deadline to sign up for January 1 coverage approaches Thursday.
Dept. of Health and Social Services Secretary Rita Landgraf attributes the 7.3 percent increase in enrollment over last year in part to people preparing for a Trump administration - and wanting to ensure they’re locked into coverage before any potential changes.
“Rather than saying, ‘Oh, I might not need it anymore,’ we’re seeing just the opposite," Landgraf said.
Still - 54,000 Delawareans remain without insurance. In order to have coverage beginning January 1, First State residents must sign up for ACA coverage on or before December 15th.
And while President elect Trump has threatened to change the program dramatically once in office, nothing has changed yet.
Newark resident Linda Miller is happy to hear that. Miller has battled lung cancer and signed up for Obamacare health coverage four years ago on the first day it was available.
She says she relies on that insurance for continued treatment.
“Without it, I don’t know what I’m going to do," Miller said. "I’m hoping it doesn’t go away. Because I now have something that looks funny on my other lung and they have to keep an eye on it so I’ll need regular screenings and they’re not cheap.”
Westside Family Healthcare is Delaware’s largest provider of healthcare navigators and enrollment specialists, assisting people enrolling in ACA in person or over the phone.
Westside Family Healthcare employs 10 of the 20 navigators available in the state - including Lourdes Doiron.
Doiron says in recent weeks she’s received about 20 calls a day from ACA participants nervous about losing coverage when Trump takes office.
“Everybody asks the same question but we’re still saying the same: we’re still here, we’re still able to help you, and the insurance is there," Doiron said.
?Paul Reynolds of Delaware's Department of Insurance says authentic navigators won't call, but are instead waiting for people to come see them.
If people do receive phone calls from individuals claiming to be heathcare navigators also asking for money, the interaction should be reported as potential fraud, and will be investigated.
While December 15th is the deadline for coverage beginning January 1, First State residents can apply throughout the month of January for coverage beginning March 1. Those who don't enroll by January 31st may face a $695 penalty per adult, or 2.5 percent of their annual income: whichever is higher.
After that, residents looking to sign up must show proof of a special life event like change of job or marital status.
Individuals can find more information about plans available at ChooseHealthDE.com, can enroll online at HealthCare.gov, or can meet face-to-face with navigators at the below sites:
Westside Family Healthcare – Wilmington
1802 West 4th Street, Wilmington, DE 19805
Saturdays/Sabados: 9 am - 12 pm
Westside Family Healthcare - Newark
27 Marrows Road, Newark, DE 19713
Tuesdays/Martes: 4 pm - 7 pm
Westside Family Healthcare - Bear/New Castle
404 Fox Hunt Drive, Bear, DE 19701
Thursdays/Jueves: 4 pm - 7 pm, Saturdays/Sabado: 9 am - 12 pm
Westside Family Healthcare - Dover
1020 Forrest Ave, Dover, DE 19904
December/Diciembre 14th, 28th: 4 pm - 7 pm
January/Enero 11th, 25th: 4 - 7 pm
