5 Tips to Navigate the Healthcare Marketplace
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United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County

5 Tips to Navigate the Healthcare Marketplace

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December 7, 2015

Written by Heather Dummer Combs, Milwaukee Enrollment Network

Understanding the Healthcare Marketplace can be tricky. Use these 5 tips to help avoid a hassle and get yourself and family covered on time.

Tip #1 Attend Open House

If you need assistance, be sure to attend Milwaukee Enrollment Network’s Health Insurance Open House Thursday, December 10, 2:00 - 7:00 pm. There will be agents/brokers and Certified Application Counselors (CACs) available to provide free, confidential help with shopping for health care coverage.

Two Locations:
Aurora Family Service, 3200 W. Highland Blvd.
Walker's Point Community Clinic, 130 W. Bruce St.

Tip #2 Be Aware of Enrollment Deadline

Marketplace Open Enrollment runs until January 31, 2016. The deadline for enrolling in a plan that begins January 1, 2016 is December 15, 2015. Individuals can apply on their own online at healthcare.gov or over the phone at 1-800-318-2596. Alternately, there is free, confidential assistance available with certified application counselors (CACs), Navigators, and independent Insurance Agents. To get connected to an assister near you, dial 2-1-1.  

Tip #3 Compare Health Insurance Plans

Whether you’re enrolling for the first time or renewing your insurance, it’s important to take the time to compare plans. During last year’s enrollment period, individuals who compared plans in the Health Insurance Marketplace saved an average of $400 in premium costs.

Tip #4 Financial Assistance is Available

There is financial assistance available for many when enrolling in a plan through the Marketplace. In Milwaukee, 9 out of 10 people received financial assistance for Marketplace coverage in 2015.  

Tip #5 Have All Important Documents Ready

Consumers need to provide the following information when you enroll: 

  • Social security numbers or document numbers for legal immigrants
  • Employer and income information for every person in the home who needs coverage (you can find this on pay stubs or W-2 forms)
  • Policy numbers for any current health insurance plans covering members of the household
  • Adults with income below 100% of the federal poverty level ($11,670 per year for an individual) and children and pregnant women in households with income under 300% of the poverty level ($71,550 for a family of 4), may enroll anytime in BadgerCarePlus.

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