WESTMINSTER — The open enrollment period for health coverage from Vermont Health Connect ends Dec. 15, and households that qualify can now sign up for a new plan or change their existing one.
The bad news is that it can be confusing to understand what the best coverage option might be. The good news is that Southeastern Vermont Community Action's (SEVCA) Health Navigator is available to help households in Windham or Windsor counties get or keep the health care coverage they need.
According to a news release, SEVCA's Health Navigator has helped hundreds of Windham and Windsor county residents with their health insurance applications since the program started in October 2013. They have been able to continue the program with the help of the Fannie Holt Ames & Edna Louise Holt Fund.
In addition to providing assistance during the Open Enrollment period, SEVCA can also help people with a “qualifying event” that makes them eligible for coverage through a Vermont Health Connect plan at any time throughout the year. SEVCA also helps families apply for Medicaid and Dr. Dynasaur.
“SEVCA is committed to supporting health care access for low-income and other vulnerable households in our service area,” said SEVCA Executive Director Steve Geller.
Geller said that, without advocates to assist them, “the negative impacts of an increasingly confusing health insurance maze can be significant, and hundreds of local families, seniors, individuals with disabilities, and others could be left to fend for themselves.”
SEVCA recently welcomed Alicia Moyer as its new Health Navigator, and anyone in Windham and Windsor counties in need of assistance with coverage is urged to call her at 800-464-9951 to make an appointment.
Appointments are available in Westminster on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8 a.m.to 4:30 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Appointments are available in White River Junction from 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays, and in Brattleboro from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursdays.
SEVCA urges people seeking coverage to call as soon as possible to ensure they have enough time to submit their applications.