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Deadline to apply for 2019 health insurance is Dec. 15

| December 11, 2018 12:00 AM

BOISE — Idaho residents who want health insurance coverage that begins Jan. 1, have just a few days left to enroll in a plan for 2019 with Your Health Idaho, the state’s health insurance exchange. Applications for this health care coverage must be completed by midnight, Saturday in order to have coverage at the start of the new year. In response to high demand, Your Health Idaho is extending its support center hours to help customers enroll or answer any questions.

“We want to encourage Idahoans to enroll in health insurance and check to see if they are eligible for a tax credit to help offset costs of monthly premiums for health insurance. Nine in 10 Idahoans signing up for health insurance at Your Health Idaho qualify for a tax credit and most save 80 percent on monthly premiums. This savings helps many Idahoans get the coverage they need. Also, there are many Idahoans who may still be uninsured and don’t know that they may be eligible for a tax credit,” said Pat Kelly, executive director of Your Health Idaho, in a news release.

The deadline to apply for health insurance is this Saturday. Anyone with questions about getting coverage for 2019 is encouraged to contact an agent and broker for free assistance and help navigating the health insurance application process. Agents and brokers can be found at YourHealthIdaho.org under the “Find Help” tab.

“Enrollment numbers for health insurance on the exchange remain strong in Idaho. We attribute this success to Idahoans understanding the value of having health insurance coverage and knowing how their benefits help them especially when they need it most,” Kelly said.

Your Health Idaho’s support center is available to answer any questions Idahoans may have and can be reached at 855-944-3246 todday through Friday this week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Your Health Idaho is an online marketplace where Idaho families and small businesses can go to compare and purchase health insurance. Created by state law in 2013, Your Health Idaho is governed by a 19-member board authorized by the Idaho Legislature to set the rules and regulations for implementing a state-based health insurance exchange.

Learn more at YourHealthIdaho.org or on the agency’s Facebook page or Twitter feed.