By Press Times Staff
BROWN COUNTY – The number of people who signed up for health insurance plans through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has decreased in Brown County, but officials urge people looking for coverage to take advantage during open enrollment.
According to the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) in 2019, 8,784 Brown County residents were covered with an ACA plan, and in 2020 that number was 8,287.
Wisconsin numbers also dipped, up from a high of 242,863 in 2017 to 195,498 in 2020.
Nathan Houdek, deputy insurance commissioner, along with the Division of Market Regulation at OCI, said reasons people may be dropping coverage include:
• People with job-sponsored insurance do not enroll.
• Fewer resources to help people sign up or make people aware of ACA.
• The individual mandate requiring health insurance is gone and there is no tax penalty for not having coverage.
• More people may be purchasing short-term duration plans or other alternatives to comprehensive health care.
• People may be signing up for Medicaid instead.
• Price increases with some ACA plans.
• Public criticism of ACA and misconceptions about the ACA may steer people away.
Houdek said that can change during open enrollment – the annual period in which people can enroll in a health insurance plan through the federal marketplace (HealthCare.gov).
It began Nov. 1 and continues through Dec. 15.
Those who already have insurance through the marketplace can also renew, change or update their plans during this period.
“Now more than ever, everyone deserves access to quality, affordable health care,” said Gov. Tony Evers in a press release. “Health insurance can help protect you against high medical costs and help you stay healthy for your loved ones. That is why I urge folks to shop around on the marketplace this year and take advantage of lower insurance rates.”
New in Brown County this year is the addition of a seventh insurance provider, up from six last year.
“Generally, there is more price competition in regions where many health plans are offered and there is less price competition where fewer health plans participate,” Houdek said. “Another advantage of more insurers is more choice for consumers – typically including additional networks with providers, clinics, etc.”
He also said there are misconceptions about insurance plans offered through the federal marketplace.
The first is more people are uninsured, which Houdek said is false because more people have coverage now then compared with before the ACA.
The second is there are out-of-pocket costs for preventive care with an ACA plan, which he said is false because most of those costs are covered with a plan.
The third is a majority of people are covered by plans from the ACA, while Houdek said a majority of people have insurance through employer group plans, Medicare or Medicaid.
The fourth misconception is the plans cost too much, but he said people can apply for subsidies, which will bring the overall cost down.
Finally, he said the fifth misconception is signing up for these plans is too complicated, but help is readily available.
“WisCovered.com connects Wisconsinites with free, expert help to get health coverage,” Hoduek said. “Available in English, Spanish and Hmong, WisCovered.com helps put people in touch with assistance via phone from organizations like Covering Wisconsin and the United Way’s 211. These experts can help families understand their coverage options and determine if they qualify for free coverage through BadgerCare or help paying for their premium with an individual plan from HealthCare.gov.”
Even with the extra help, he said people may still not shop for a plan because some have high deductibles.
“Consumers can shop around for a deductible they can manage,” Houdek said. “Typically a higher deductible means lower premium. People should get health insurance even if it’s a high deductible plan because serious medical conditions/emergencies will exceed the deductible. It is comprehensive (coverage). ACA-compliant plans cover essential health benefits, you cannot be denied coverage even if you have a prior condition, and subsidies may be available to defray costs.”
For more information on plans or to connect with someone to help with the process, visit wiscovered.com.