The health insurance marketplace can be confusing and tough to navigate. Many go uninsured because they're not sure what coverage they need and how to get it.
The University of Arizona's Center for Rural Health has tools to help you find what insurance you need depending on your age and income level.
Dr. Dan Derksen, director of the Arizona Center for Rural Health said everyone should at the very least inform themselves about what coverage is available. "I would never recommend going uncovered because you never know when something is going to happen," Derksen said.
Despite being young and healthy, Derksen says even people in their twenties and early thirties should have basic coverage at the least. Preventative care and dental are very important to help steer clear of dozens of health problems in years to come.
For those with families or dependents, there are many credits, subsidies and benefits within the Medicaid system to apply for to make sure your children get coverage, including add-ons like dental and vision.
As people get into their forties and fifties, accumulating chronic health conditions can drive up health care costs. Dr. Derksen recommends looking into supplemental insurance plans.
For those in their early sixties, getting prepared to sign up for Medicare is extremely important.
"About six to twelve months before they turn 65, look at all the steps they need to do to make sure that happens seamlessly, because if you wait a year to do it, it makes it very much more expensive," Derksen said of signing up for Medicare.
Open enrollment is only 45 days this year. It lasts from November 1, 2017 to December 15, 2017. Don't get left out of coverage. Here are some free tools to help you and your family.
TOOLS:
To access the Arizona Center for Rural Health's "Navigator Consortium," to get individualized help enrolling in the right health coverage, click HERE. For questions or assistance in enrolling in coverage, call Alyssa Padilla at (520) 343-9821.
To make a FREE appointment to explore your health insurance options with Cover Arizona, click HERE.
To apply for coverage through AHCCCS, click HERE.
To apply to the marketplace, click HERE.
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