Help available for insurance

Editor's note: The following letter to the editor was sent in response to the story "As deadline looms for health plans, navigators help consumers sign up":

While many questions and concerns still remain in the minds of many Americans about the future of the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare), one thing is still for sure. There are many groups and organizations working hard in Southeast Missouri to help consumers understand the insurance program and to assist individuals and families with the enrollment process including reviewing the insurance plans and benefits.

East MO Action Agency (EMAA) is one such organization and its staff educates consumers each day about the health-care law, exemption rules, and the tax penalty guidelines for not purchasing affordable insurance. Personally, I have signed up hundreds of consumers for health insurance and been called "a godsend" to some who thought they could never afford the treatment they required or who had been turned down by a doctor for treatment "until they had insurance."

As a reminder, it was just announced that a special enrollment period (SEP) will occur from Sunday through April 30 for tax filers who attest that while filing their taxes earlier this year, they first understood the magnitude of the penalty for not having insurance (or an exemption). Those individuals have the SEP six-week period to visit healthcare.gov to sign up for coverage for 2015, or visit someone who can provide hands-on assistance.

For more information, contact EMAA at 1-800-392-8663 for a specific counselor/navigator in your area. Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation (DAEOC) in the Bootheel also has licensed counselors available and can be reached by calling 1-800-748-8320.

GINA HARPER, Cape Girardeau