One of the most intimidating and confusing aspects of life these days is finding and choosing the best possible health insurance plan for you and your family. Eskenazi Health wants to assist you in wading through the myriad of health insurance options by providing more than 60 financial counselors who are available during the federal Health Insurance Marketplace now through Monday, January 15.
The Health Insurance Marketplace is a service run by the federal government that helps individuals, families and small businesses compare and enroll in health insurance plans. The Marketplace offers the same set of essential health benefits for every plan, such as doctor visits, preventive care, hospitalization and prescriptions. The Marketplace also helps people find out if they qualify for financial assistance or other programs.
It’s important to note that outside of the open enrollment period, registering with a health insurance plan is generally only possible if a person qualifies for a special enrollment period such as a certain life event (marriage, a birth of a child or change in health insurance coverage), so addressing your health insurance options and choosing a plan during the open enrollment period is vitally important.
Eskenazi Health financial counselors can complete the following applications:
• Federal Marketplace
• Indiana Health Coverage Programs (IHCP)
• Hoosier Healthwise
• Children’s Health Coverage Program (CHIP)
• HIP 2.0 Healthy Indiana Plan
• Medicaid for the Aged, Blind and Disabled – M.E.D. Works and Behavioral & Primary Health Care Coordination (BPHC)
• Medicare Savings Programs
• Emergency Services Only
• Family Planning
• Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP)
Counselors are available at Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Appointments are currently required to meet with a financial counselor. Appointments can be made by calling 1.855.202.1053 or scheduled online through Eskenazi Health MyChart at: www.eskenazihealth.edu/patients/mychart.
In addition, Eskenazi Health is hosting an insurance fair on Saturday, Dec. 2, where Eskenazi Health Financial Eligibility Services will be available to assist with all things Marketplace and Medicaid, including eligibility.
The event will start at 10 a.m. and conclude at 2 p.m. The location is the Financial Eligibility Services suite and Eli Lilly and Company Foundation Concourse on the Eskenazi Health downtown campus at 720 Eskenazi Ave.
Attendees may park for free in the public parking garage at Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital, accessible from Dr. Harvey Middleton Way, or access the event using public transportation via the IndyGo Route 10 – 10th Street.
Attendees will have an opportunity to schedule an appointment with Eskenazi Health Financial Eligibility Services to determine if they qualify for any applicable health coverage or discount programs. Eskenazi Health continues to remind patients covered by Medicaid to visit FSSABenefits.IN.gov to report any changes and check eligibility. This needs to be done to ensure patients do not lose their health care coverage through Medicaid. Eligibility redeterminations have resumed and a return to normal operations is expected by July 2024.
At the insurance fair on Dec. 2, flu and COVID-19 vaccines will be available. There will also be fun activities for the entire family and free drinks and snacks. Radio One will be onsite providing music and conducting interviews.
To learn more about the 2024 open enrollment period, please visit www.healthcare.gov.
by Nydia Nunez-Estrada, M.D.,
Pediatrician with Eskenazi Health