The insurance exchange, marketplace or ObamaCare—whatever it may be called—will be operational in all counties in Tennessee in 2018. However, because of so much confusion and because there will not be any advertising about enrollment this year, many individuals who are eligible for enrollment or reenrollment may not be aware of the open enrollment period.
Open enrollment will begin Nov. 1 and end Dec. 15 this year. Please note the enrollment period has been significantly shortened this year compared to previous years.
Hospitals are strongly encouraged to post notices about the open enrollment period throughout their facilities since the open window for enrollment is short and many individuals do not think there will be an exchange this year. To help in this endeavor, THA has created a print-ready poster and flier for use in hospitals, clinics and other facilities to promote open enrollment. The poster is available in an 11” x 17” format and the flier is available in an 8.5” x 11” format.
Resources for open enrollment in Tennessee are available from Get Covered Tenn or by calling 844-644-5443. The Get Covered Tenn website allows individuals to schedule appointments with an assister and learn more about the enrollment process. However, due to significantly fewer resources for enrollment assistance, hospitals are encouraged to utilize their own resources if possible.
In Tennessee, there will be three carriers in 2018. THA recently held webinars with each of these insurance carriers and the educational materials are available here: BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Oscar Health and Cigna.
The American Hospital Association (AHA) also has developed resources for hospitals to encourage enrollment in communities.
These include:
- Videos in both English and Spanish to promote enrollment among young adults.
- Infographics and other customizable content for social media use.
- Podcasts highlighting member success stories with promotion activities.
- Talking points to use when engaging with stakeholders.
These resources are available through AHA’s dedicated enrollment website.
Even though the federal government will not be directly funding the cost-sharing reductions (CSRs), that subsidy benefit to those with lower incomes WILL continue to be available through the federal exchange (healthcare.gov). It has been added to the premium increases, which still are subsidized. Historically, a high percentage of those enrolled have utilized this assistance.
For more information, contact Gwyn Walters at THA, 615-401-7443.
