By The Lopez Island Family Resource Center

The Lopez Island Family Resource Center has signed a contract with the Whatcom Association for Health Advancement, which is contracted by the state to help enroll uninsured people in the state exchange for federally-mandated Affordable Health Care. The Lopez Island Family Resource Center and The Lopez Island Medical Clinic have trained staff to assist uninsured island community members in navigating the Washington Health Benefits Exchange website, and they will be meeting to collaborate on how best to serve the island in transitioning to this new healthcare system.

Registration for the Washington Health Exchange will begin on Oct. 1, 2013, and it is mandated by state law in order to comply with the Affordable Care Act  signed into national law in 2010. The state health care exchange policies are effective Jan. 1, 2014. People have until March 31, 2014 to register for the insurance-for-all program; after that date, they will incur penalties.

Even if you have previously been denied Medicaid and have been unable to buy a health plan, you may now be eligible for free or low-cost health insurance.  Here are some examples of cost estimates:

A family of 4 making less than $32,500 can qualify for free health coverage.

A family of 4 making up to $40,000 can qualify for an estimated $985 in tax credits per month.

A family of 4 making up to $90,000 can qualify for an estimated $436 in tax credits per month.

To determine whether you and your family qualify for free insurance or a subsidy to reduce the cost of insurance, go to http://www.wahealthplanfinder.org/calculator/index.html.  If the search tells you that you are Medicaid eligible, you will pay nothing for your insurance premiums.  If your income level is higher, it will tell you the estimated amount you would pay per month for your premiums.

There are many different situations and there will be lots of questions, so the Lopez Island Family Resource Center and the Lopez Island Medical Clinic will have representatives who are trained to help uninsured islanders navigate this system.  The Lopez Island Family Resource Center will begin to make appointments starting October 1st, and the Lopez Island Medical Clinic will begin to make appointments starting in late October.  Please call for a confidential appointment.  Contact the LIFRC at 468-4117 or The Clinic at 468-2245.

The Orcas Family Connections Resource Center and San Juan Resource Center will also be helping people navigate the Washington Health Benefits Exchange website.

Thank you to Margie Doyle and the Orcas Family Connections Resource Center for assistance with this article.