The North Dakota State University Extension Service has a helpful Smart Choice Health Insurance Workbook available to assist consumers as they make important health insurance plan choices.

“Many consumers may be uncomfortable or feel overwhelmed when it comes to making decisions about health insurance coverage,” says Lori Scharmer, NDSU Extension Service family economics specialist. “The workbook is designed to help consumers make the best choice for their unique situations.”

The workbook is available at http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/money.

The annual opportunity for uninsured individuals to enroll in private insurance coverage and sign up for premium tax credits and cost sharing subsidies is now through Feb. 15, 2015. This also is the time that those people who were newly insured in 2014 can renew their health plan coverage and subsidies.

An increasing number of North Dakotans are expected to enroll or renew policies in health insurance plans during this open enrollment period.

“However, there are a few key dates consumers should be aware of when planning their health insurance purchases for next year,” Scharmer says.

• Under the Affordable Care Act, uninsured individuals generally may enroll in private, nongroup coverage plans or change plans only during open enrollment.
• Jan. 1, 2015, is the earliest coverage can begin for a plan bought during the open enrollment period.

People with qualifying events, such as getting married or having a baby, can enroll in a health insurance plan at any time.

Consumers may purchase a qualifying health insurance plan through the federal marketplace at http://www.healthcare.gov or through an insurance company or agent.

NDSU Agriculture Communication – Dec. 16, 2014