Kentuckians seeking health coverage at the start of 2016 must enroll today to avoid a fine. One of the Commonwealth’s previous affordable providers, Kentucky Health Cooperative, opted out of participating in the state’s healthcare exchange called Kynect, leaving at least 51-thousand people in need of a new insurer.
Kynect Program Manager Jackie Eubanks says individuals whose plans have changed, as well as people who qualify to purchase a health plan through the exchange aren’t likely to find an agent to help this late in the game. However, Kynectors are located across the state, free of charge, to aid those ready to apply.
“The main thing is that people need to be prepared to kind of think about their situation and to make a choice based on what they think would be the best plan for them.” Eubanks said.
Eubanks says those seeking a change in their coverage due to a life-changing event like the birth of a child or a new job have until January 31st to enroll.
Medicaid recipients are eligible to apply year round. Those who qualify to purchase a health plan through the state exchange could already be passively enrolled. Those seeking no change in coverage aren’t required to re-enroll.
“It depends on what they have, Medicaid enrollments are going to what we call passive enrollments, which means the information that is in the hub and the federal database matches the information that the department of community based services has on those folks. So there is no need for verification, so they will be passively enrolled. Other people who bought qualified health plans through Blue Cross Blue Shield, if their plan is still available with no changes, except for the premium, they will also be subject to passive enrollment.” Eubanks said.
According to Eubanks, if you go without insurance for more than 90 days you will be subject to penalty. Those penalties can be pro rated; however, it depends on income and family composition as to how much penalty the individual will receive.
“If there are any kind of glitches in the case, say someone who had previously tried to apply and did not complete for a reason there could be problems in the case that the Kynectors are trained to deal with.” Eubanks said.
Eubanks says you can apply online or on the phone. The deadline is midnight EST.
WKAS kynectors
- Ballard County - Lisa Jones , Lisa.Jones@wkas.info270-217-2412
- Calloway County - Pam Gray , Pam.Gray@wkas.info 270-978-4392
- Carlisle County – Lisa Jones , Lisa.Jones@wkas.info270-217-2412
- Fulton County - Robyn.Luther, Robyn.Luther@wkas.info 270-727-0395
- Graves County - Gregg Knight, Gregg.Knight@wkas.info 270-214-0735
- Hickman County - Robyn.Luther, Robyn.Luther@wkas.info 270-727-0395
- Marshall County – Sandy White, Sandra.White@wkas.info 270-970-4875
- McCracken County – Brenda Cooper, Brenda.Cooper@wkas.info 270-331-6123
- McCracken County - Jeff Lindsey , Jeff.Lindsey@wkas.info 270-970-4860
WKAS Toll- Free Assistance 1-800-294-2731
