Here’s To Your Health – NWU Members Can Now Access Healthcare – Finding Assistance Benefit Through Working America

NWU now offers you help finding and using health insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and the extra support doesn’t cost you a penny more.*  The second Open Enrollment Period began in mid-November. For those of you who don’t have health insurance, you can now sign up for it. For those of you with coverage, now’s a good time to reevaluate your policy.

If you purchased insurance through the marketplaces last year, you’ve likely received your re-enrollment notice. Individual consumers in qualified plans have until Monday, December 15, to pick a new plan with coverage starting January 1, 2015. Otherwise, you’ll be automatically re-enrolled in your current plan, which could cost you more than in 2014. It pays to shop around to get the best deal for next year.

NWU has joined the AFL-CIO’s Working America Health Care and Union Plus to help you access and evaluate the best plan for you under Obamacare. A broker will help you shop around, but he or she will not EARN a commission based on the policy you choose. The broker will also be able to tell you if you qualify for subsidies or tax credits.

If your current plan is the best option, you can renew it. If you find a better plan , you can sign up for it. Either way, if you go through the Working America Health Care program to sign up, you will get additional support at no cost to you*. A medical can help answer questions about your coverage, recommend treatment options; suggest doctors/specialists and more and help negot MEDICAL BILLS.

Remember, the Affordable Health Care act is the law; you must have health insurance coverage or risk paying a fine: (In 2015, you’ll pay the higher of these two amounts: 2 percent of your yearly household income. Or $325 per person for the year, and $162.50 per child under 18. The maximum penalty per family is $975, according to https://www.healthcare.gov/fees-exemptions/fee-for-not-being-covered/)

Find out more about getting health insurance through the NWU at (855)-698-8627 or WorkingAmericaHealthCare.org/NWU.

* Unfortunately, Working America Health Care is not available in Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Rhode Island, Vermont or West Virginia.

Ann Hoffman is the first vice president of the NWU.

NOTE: THE NWU SUPPORTS SINGLE-PAYER MEDICARE FOR ALL AS THE BEST PRESCRIPTION FOR FREELANCERS AND EMPLOYEES.  IF YOU WANT TO HELP NWU FIGHT FOR SINGLE PAYER IN CONGRESS AND IN THE STATES, EMAIL KEITH BAGWELL, NWU CAP COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, AT KBAGWELL50@GMAIL.COM.

ALSO, THE NWU CONTINUES TO OFFER GROUP DENTAL AND VISION COVERAGE THROUGH CIGNA AND VSP.  NWU MEMBERS ALSO MAY OBTAIN A FREE PRESCRIPTION-DRUG DISCOUNT CARD FROM THE NATIONAL OFFICE.HTTP://NWU.ORG/DENTAL-AND-VISION-INSURANCE