For Immediate Release: December 1, 2020

Media Contact: Luis Rios | 801-899-9832 

Salt Lake City, UT – There are two weeks remaining in the healthcare.gov Marketplace open enrollment period. During this time, Take Care Utah is offering free virtual assistance to help Utahns enroll before the deadline, while maintaining social distance.  

With more plans in the market this year, Utah has seen stabilizing premium rates on the Marketplace, with several plans offered at a lower cost. Right now, there are many affordable options for people to choose from to fit their health care needs - including plans with $0 premiums and $0 deductibles. Some plans are also offering no-deductible office visits and other benefits that provide additional flexibility. 

Utahns may be unaware of the premium-assistance and cost-sharing reduction subsidies that make health insurance more affordable. In fact, more than 80% of Utahns had financial assistance last year, and approximately 2 in 3 healthcare.gov applicants can find a plan with a $10 monthly premium. This sliding-scale cost assistance is available for individuals and families up to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level – which is $104,800 annually for a family of four.  

Even if they enrolled last year, Utahns should reassess their options to make sure they have an affordable plan that is right for them.  Medicaid and CHIP offer year-round enrollment, but this open enrollment period is the perfect time for families to explore their options. Following full Medicaid expansion, which began in January 2020 there are even more coverage options for Utahns this year.  

Take Care Utah urges Utahns to take advantage of the financial assistance available and encourages our community to get signed up for low-cost health insurance coverage before the December 15th deadline.   

“As Utah's rate of uninsured kids continues to climb, we know when parents are covered, children are more likely to be insured as well," said Sarah Leetham, Healthy Kids Program Director. The Marketplace offers families options for coverage they may not have elsewhere. Some families have specific plan needs such as specialty providers, prescriptions for children, or disease management. The Take Care Utah team is here to help families find the plan that works best for them and ensure these benefits are accessible once enrolled.”

Luis Rios, Lead Broker, added, "Now more than ever during this pandemic is important to understand and look at your healthcare options, the Take Care Utah team is ready to help remotely through a video chat, screen share or phone call so Utahns can stay home safe!”

Utahns across the state can book their free, virtual appointment here: takecareutah.org/bookings