Tuesday, Dec. 15, is the deadline to apply for health insurance through the federal exchange. Despite being eligible, approximately 93,000 people in Duval County still haven’t taken advantage of coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).That’s according to Florida Blue Market President Darnell Smith, who appeared onWJCT News' First Coast Connect with Melissa Ross Monday.
“The wonderful thing about it is almost 90% of the people who are eligible, find themselves able to receive some level of subsidy. And quite frankly, many of them actually have as low as zero-dollar premiums,” Smith said.
Statewide, approximately 970,000 Floridians who qualify have not taken advantage of Obamacare to get health insurance coverage, Smith said. He's urging families not to assume they make too much money to qualify.
“For example, a family of four making $100,000 for that household, they are eligible for a subsidy. That’s remarkable,” Smith said, who added the overwhelming majority of people enrolled find premiums affordable.
Two out of three HealthCare.gov consumers can find a plan this year with a monthly premium of $10 or less, according to GetAmericaCovered.org. People can find even cheaper plans this year than in years past, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The open enrollment period is the only time of the year to get guaranteed coverage and cost assistance each year.
As part of a last-minute push to get as many signed up as possible, Agape Family Health is holding events at two locations in Jacksonville.
Monday and Tuesday - COVID-19 testing and ACA enrollment information:
- Agape Family Health-Northside 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., 1680 Dunn Ave.; Jacksonville, 32209
- Agape Family Health-Westside 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., 5460 Blanding Blvd.; Jacksonville, 32244
People can signup for Affordable Health Care coverage at HealthCare.gov.
The full interview with Smith can be heard on Monday's First Coast Connect with Melissa Ross.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story had an incorrect statewide figure for the number of people who have not taken advantage of the subsidies to enroll.
Bill Bortzfield can be reached at bbortzfield@wjct.org or on Twitter at @BortzInJax.
