Insurance provides peace of mind

I am the director of MaineHealth’s CarePartners program, which provides healthcare access to uninsured adults in five Maine counties, so I know what a difference having a quality, affordable health plan can make to help people stay healthy.

Plans like those on the Health Insurance Marketplace that include preventive services encourage people to actively manage their health instead of waiting to address a health issue through a visit to a hospital emergency department.?

CarePartners’ staff have been assisting individuals to enroll in the Health Insurance Marketplaces and the relief and joy we witness every day when people realize they can get comprehensive affordable health insurance is so gratifying.

Certified assisters like those at CarePartners can help you look at all of your health insurance options and complete the online sign-up process at the healthcare.gov website. Assistance is free and confidential.

Open enrollment to sign up for an affordable health plan for 2015 through the Marketplace will end soon. Feb. 15, 2015 is the last day to enroll.

Last year, 90 percent of the 45,000 of Mainers who signed up for health insurance through the Marketplace qualified for financial assistance that lowered the cost of premiums and out-of-pocket expenses. Mainers should visit enroll207.com and go to the Find Free Help section to locate free confidential help by phone or in-person from certified assisters all over Maine. Having a quality health plan brings peace of mind and will prevent many people from having to pay a tax penalty for 2015.?

Carol Zechman

MaineHealth’s CarePartners