Publisher’s Note: Healthcare.gov open enrollment ends February 15

If you do not have health insurance, and you’re not sure how to get it, you need to make it a priority to look at your options on Healthcare.gov — the website that offers healthcare insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The open enrollment period is happening now, but it closes on February 15. So, in order to give yourself ample time to compare plans from the ACA and/or private plans (either through your employer or otherwise), you should not delay.

If you’ve been to Healthcare.gov and it all seems a little too overwhelming, then you should feel comforted that you’re not alone. In fact, there are so many people who are not sure which plan to choose (or what plan is best to meet their health needs) that several foundations and community organizations have been established to help those interested navigate the system and select the best plan.

One example of such an organization is the Florida Covering Kids & Families program, but there are others. Here’s some contact information that will be of help:

  • To get enrollment help over the phone from a Healthcare.gov representative, call 1 (800) 318-2596. If deaf or hard of hearing, call 1 (855) 889-4325.
  • To speak with a healthcare navigator at Florida Covering Kids & Families, call (813) 803-0628.
  • To speak with a navigator from Community Health Systems, call 1 (800) 353-1380 or (863) 678-2734.
  • To speak with a navigator from BayCare Health Systems, call 1 (855) 404-3334.
  • To speak with a navigator from the Family Healthcare Foundation, call (813) 995-1066.
  • To speak with a navigator from Central Florida Health Care, call (863) 413-8600 for Lakeland, (863) 292-4280 for Winter Haven, or (863) 635-4891 for Frostproof.

Use these resources, because they are here to help you make an informed decision.

CREDIT

column by NELSON KIRKLAND

Nelson Kirkland is publisher of Central Florida Health News. He may be reached by e-mail at nelson@centralfloridamediagroup.com.

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