Health Insurance via HealthCare.gov

Access Health Insurance via HealthCare.gov

Healthcare.gov is the primary tool for learning about the Marketplace, and to shop for and enroll in plans.

Telephone assistance for the Health Insurance Marketplace is available 24/7 – 1-800-318-2596

Missouri residents can find more information at Cover Missouri.
Kansas residents can find more information at InsureKS.org.
Residents of the Kansas City metro area can get more information at:
— Live Fearless from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City.
— CoverKC from the Mid-America Regional Council.

About the Health Insurance Marketplace

The Health Insurance Marketplace
The Marketplace is a way to find health coverage that fits your budget and meets your needs. When you apply for coverage, you can see all your options and enroll. You can apply for private insurance, Medicaid, or The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). You can compare plans based on price, benefits, and other features important to you before you make a choice.

Insurance plans run by private companies
Insurance plans offered through the Marketplace are run by private companies. You can compare your health coverage options in the Marketplace and see what your premium, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs will be before you decide to enroll.

Get help with costs
When you use the Marketplace you may be able to get a tax credit to lower your monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs. When you apply, you’ll find out how much you can save. Most people who apply qualify for some kind of savings.

Visit HealthCare.gov to get answers to your questions and sign up for e-mail updates about the Marketplace. You can also call the Health Insurance Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596. TTY users can call 1-855-889-4325.

Open Enrollment for the 2019 plan year starts 11/01/18 and closes 12/15/18
When Open Enrollment starts, you can go to the Marketplace and apply for health coverage, compare all your options, and enroll in a plan. If you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period because of a life change like getting married, having a baby, losing other coverage, or moving, you may apply for coverage outside of Open Enrollment.

FREE, IN-PERSON HELP is available in Kansas and Missouri
You can find a Marketplace assister near you by:

visiting https://localhelp.healthcare.gov - simply enter your zip code to see assisters in your area
calling the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596 (TTY users can call 1-855-889-4325) and asking for in-person assistance near you
or calling United Way 2-1-1 to be connected to Marketplace assistance in the Kansas City area

Find local application assistance

Visit LocalHelp.HealthCare.gov to find help in your area. You can search by city and state or zip code to see a list of local organizations with contact information, office hours, and types of help offered, such as non-English language support, Medicaid or CHIP, and Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP). These organizations are able to assist you in finding the kind of help that works for you.

Library staff cannot assist customers in completing the application or enrollment process, but can provide technology assistance in using the library’s public computers and printers. Librarians can also make referrals to local agencies with trained application assisters.

Shepherd's Center of KC Central, at 5200 Oak Street (816-444-1121) and 3501 Campbell (816-753-7039), will have on-site experts who will help people sign up online. Call to make an appointment.