Help for health care sign-ups on Dec. 8
12/6/2018, 6 a.m.
Celebrate Healthcare is teaming up with First Baptist Church of South Richmond to help people enroll in health insurance plans under the federal Affordable Care Act and the state’s Medicaid expansion program.
The sign-up event will be held 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at the church, 1501 Decatur St. in South Side.
Representatives of the Richmond Department of Social Services and Enroll Virginia will be on hand to assist people, according to Gaylene Kanoyton of Celebrate Healthcare.
Enrollment in health coverage to start Jan. 1 through the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, continues through Saturday, Dec. 15. Details and enrollment are available online through www.healthcare.gov.
Meanwhile, Medicaid expansion has triggered an enrollment rush of uninsured Virginia adults who now qualify.
In the first 34 days since enrollment began on Nov. 1, 126,500 people have been enrolled, according to Christina Nuckols, spokeswoman for the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services.
DMAS is encouraging people to enroll as soon as possible, with coverage beginning Jan. 1. However, Ms. Nuckols noted that Medicaid enrollment runs year-round and has no deadline to sign up.
Virginians can enroll online through www.coverva.org or by calling (855) 242-8282.
