Health care deadline is Monday

When Chris Bishop enrolled for health insurance the other day through Idaho's version of Obamacare, she was pleasantly surprised.

"I don't like change any more than anybody else, but in this case we welcome it," the Blanchard woman said.

Bishop said she will get better coverage for less cost with the new plan. She and her husband are currently paying a total of $1,545 for health and dental insurance a month for the two of them. The new cost for the two for health and dental will be $155 a month.

"Our deductible is going down and our co-pays are going down," she said. "We were prepared to have less coverage for less money ... so we're quite happy. We're not even changing doctors."

Monday is the deadline for the uninsured and low-income residents to sign up during the first enrollment period for Your Health Idaho, the state-based health insurance exchange created by state law in 2013 to provide an online marketplace where residents can compare and/or buy health insurance.

"Don't wait. Start the process today," said Jody Olson, Your Health Idaho communications director.

However, if residents have started the application process on or before Monday and have experienced delays or challenges with completing it, they will be allowed to complete the process after that date.

"The amount of additional time an individual may be given to complete the application process can vary depending on their situation," said Natalie Podgorski, who handles some media inquiries for Your Health Idaho. "There is no set date to finish the process."

About 30,000 Idahoans have started the application process but have not selected a plan, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

According to the American Community Survey in 2011, there were 259,094 uninsured Idahoans.

About 45,000 Idahoans have selected a health insurance plan on Your Health Idaho since the first enrollment plan started in October. The number is a 33 percent increase from a month ago.

"We are seeing an increase in traffic on our website and more calls are coming in to our consumer resource center," Olson said. "We are also hearing from our in-person agents and brokers that they are busier than ever."

Olson said the number of Idahoans who have enrolled has exceeded some expectations.

"Before open enrollment even started, the Congressional Budget Office determined that Idaho should have 40,000 people signed up by the end of open enrollment," Olson said.

HHS does not have a statistical breakdown by county on Your Health Idaho data.

For the uninsured who don't sign up during this enrollment period, the next period runs from Nov. 15 through Feb. 15, 2015.

Mark Woodworth, of Helbling Benefits Consulting in Coeur d'Alene, said insurance rates, including for group health insurance provided by employers, have increased for many during the Affordable Care Act era.

"We have seen some substantial rate increases to move to the new plans allowed under the Affordable Care Act," Helbling said. "This has not been in all cases, but definitely in most cases.

"Some small employers are even dropping coverage, which is partially attributable to the changes and cost increases under the law, and the fact that they are not required to provide it to their employees like large employers (51 or more employees)."

But other Idahoans will qualify for a new plan at a reduced rate because of tax credits based on income, Helbling said.

Bishop said she went through an insurance adviser for checking insurance rates because too many questions surfaced during the online process. She said the process took less than an hour.

"It's the law," she said. "It has nothing to do with politics at this point. I know a lot of Republicans who have begun to secretly sign up."

Bishop said advisers can also clear up a lot of the misinformation that is floating around on health insurance. A list of advisers is available by zip code at Your Health Idaho and the help is free.

Uninsured residents have the choice on whether to enroll.

According to the state program's website, those who choose not to be insured could face a penalty of 1 percent of their yearly household income or $95 per adult per year and $47.50 per child under 18, whichever amount is higher. The penalties will increase in 2015 and 2016.

For more information, visit www.yourhealthidaho.org. The consumer resource center can be reached toll free at (855) 944-3246 or customerservice@yourhealthidaho.org.