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The 2019 Open Enrollment Period for Health Insurance Starts Nov. 1 and Runs Through Dec. 15


VARNVILLE, S.C. (November 4, 2019) - The open enrollment period for signing up and purchasing private health insurance on the Marketplace begins on November 1 and runs through December 15, 2019. The Affordable Care Act's (ACA) income-based subsidies on premiums are still intact, which means many South Carolinians will again be eligible for zero-premium bronze plans on the Marketplace.

In Hampton County, 971 residents obtained health insurance through the Marketplace last year, and 714 of those enrollees received a subsidized tax credit that reduced or eliminated their premium payments. The average tax credit in the region was $469.86.

There is still much room for improvement in expanding coverage; the Kaiser Family Foundation recently reported that, of South Carolina's 439,000 uninsured, some 59,000 are eligible for Medicaid, while another 179,000 are eligible for Affordable Care Act Marketplace subsidies. Together, that's 54% of the currently uninsured that are eligible for some form of subsidized coverage. For hundreds of thousands of our state's citizens, affordable health insurance is within their reach.

For those individuals, obtaining health insurance can be transformative. Preventative and primary care can become a regular part of their lives, leading to a healthier life and preventing chronic conditions down the road. The sense of security that comes from being prepared for an unexpected health emergency also allows families to save money for other things, like buying a home or sending their kids to college.

215,000 South Carolinians took advantage of affordable coverage purchased on the Health Insurance Marketplace in 2017. Reports indicate 9 out of 10 plans purchased through the Marketplace received a tax credit.

For those who need to sign up for coverage this year, help is free and available. Call 888-998-4646 or visit signupsc.org. Experts will guide SC residents through the process to find out what they qualify for and what options are available that best fit their needs.