The open enrollment period for Vermont's health insurance marketplace, known as Vermont Health Connect, is ending soon, but there is still time for eligible Vermonters to enroll or make changes to their plan.
Monday, Jan. 15 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day), is the last day to enroll for qualified health plan coverage in 2024. Any eligible Vermonter can enroll for coverage starting Feb. 1.
This year, the Department of Vermont Health Access says that its online self-service is available through the end of open enrollment. In most cases, Vermonters can complete the application - from start to finish - at VermontHealthConnect.gov.
Additionally, customers currently enrolled in a qualified health plan can change their plan during this time. The Plan Comparison Tool is a resource available to Vermonters to help select the right plan for their needs.
Vermonters can save money on the amount they pay for plans, called premiums, if they qualify and sign up on the health insurance marketplace. More than 90% of people who are enrolled through Vermont Health Connect qualify for financial help. Thousands of Vermonters now pay less than $25 a month for coverage through the marketplace.
Customers eligible for financial help can apply the savings to the plan of their choice. It's important that customers shop to see which plan is best for them. All qualified health plans available include the same essential health benefits.
For Vermonters who have recently transitioned off Medicaid or other health coverage, these qualified health plans provide a way to regain or maintain continuous health insurance coverage at a low cost. If eligible for Marketplace subsidies, people who no longer have Medicaid coverage may find health plans that, like Medicaid, have zero (or near-zero) monthly premiums.
Once open enrollment is over, customers can only change their 2024 plan if they qualify for a special enrollment period.
The Customer Support Center (855-899-9600) will extend its hours this week. In addition to normal operating hours, the call center will also be open on Thursday and Friday, Jan. 11 and 12, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and over the weekend on January 13 and 14, from 8 a.m. to noon.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.