We are only a few days away from the end of open enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace where people can get affordable health coverage for 2023.

Sunday, Jan. 15, is the last day to sign up. Even though it is a weekend, Enroll Wyoming staff members will be standing by to help last-minute applicants, but it is better for everyone involved that they reach out before the final deadline. As always, Enroll Wyoming offers its services for free. Our Navigators help people explore their options without being influenced by sales quotas or sales incentives.

After open enrollment ends, you can only enroll in or change 2023 plans only if you qualify for a special enrollment period. The next open enrollment period is expected to begin in November 2023.

-- Wednesday, February 1, 2023, is when coverage starts for those who enroll in or change plans between Dec. 16, 2022, to Jan. 15, 2023, and pay their first premium.

Enroll Wyoming works with people in person, over the phone, and online, but with time being limited, realize that virtual options are more likely this week.

Reach out today by dialing 211, visiting our webpage, or scrolling down to see our staff list.

Think you're prepared for the unexpected? You may change your mind when it arrives.

Following a wonderful Midwest holiday with family, I attempted to return to Wyoming on New Year's Day. Right before we were due to start boarding

in Denver, the pilot announced the flight was canceled.

Initially it appeared the earliest I could be rebooked would be

three nights later. This is where my parallels with open enrollment began, though I didn’t recognize them immediately.

In the same way that Enroll Wyoming Navigators guide people

through their health coverage options including enrollment, I needed someone with more knowledge and a better understanding of my options. I clinched a seat on the next day’s flight after I connected with an experienced team, identified new options, and acted before time ran out.

I improved my outlook by taking those steps, and so do the people

who explore the plans offered through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Act now so you don't get stranded with for longer than you want with less than you could enjoy. Enroll Wyoming Navigators

are here to help.

-- Caleb Michael Smith, Enroll Wyoming marketing director

In the final days of open enrollment, we ask that those who have social media accounts be willing to share something about the free services Enroll Wyoming provides to help people review their health insurance options.

We are working like never before to get the word out about what our nonprofit is doing and how we can help people in need, but many still haven't heard of us. Please help us make extra connections.

You can find artwork to share on our pages on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Twitter, or grab something you like from The Buzz.

We want to express sincere appreciation to those who have already posted about us and those who will add to the chorus before the end of open enrollment. Thanks!

Nonprofit provides

free assistance and information to remove confusion

By Enroll Wyoming Project Director Jason Mincer

I have worked in public health for almost 20 years, and one of the top concerns that always comes forward is access to quality health care for an affordable price. Fast forward to today where I am proud to lead the Enroll Wyoming program where we focus on this issue, specifically.

Enroll Wyoming is a nonprofit whose mission is finding those who need health care and health insurance and helping them find solutions that work for each individual’s situation. We are grant funded and provide free assistance to anyone in Wyoming who needs help navigating the health care system or health insurance coverage. We do not have sales goals and do not make a commission. We are simply here to help. The 14-member team of Enroll Wyoming is available and eager to meet with anyone who wants assistance, and that assistance will come on your terms.

The Health Insurance Marketplace (www.healthcare.gov) is a great solution for those who qualify because subsidies like premium tax credits greatly lower the cost. Marketplace coverage is comfortable to the same health insurance Blue Cross Blue Shield and Mountain Health Co-Op sell in the private market. The savings are income based. Those of lower income will pay far less, and many will have access to plans that have free monthly premiums Go to www.healthcare.gov/see-plans/# and answer a few questions to see an estimate of what coverage would cost. Enroll Wyoming Navigators are experts in health insurance and in assisting with signing up for Marketplace Insurance plans. The entire process usually takes just over an hour.

Deadlines to sign up for coverage are rapidly approaching. For health insurance that starts on Feb. 1, 2023, an application must be completed by midnight, Jan. 15, 2023. After Jan. 15, most folks will be unable to enroll for coverage in 2023 and will have to wait until January of 2024 for coverage to start. Those interested in setting up an free appointment to go through options can go to www.enrollwyo.org/contact and contact the Enroll Wyoming Navigator in your region of Wyoming.

Over the years, many people in Wyoming have looked into Marketplace plans and not qualified or seen higher prices than they anticipated. Prices are lower than they have been in most years, and there are now two companies offering plans, which means there is some competition. I strongly encourage folks to set up a free appointment with an Enroll Wyoming Navigator if they would like to have another look at what it will cost. Most of the people we are working with are happy with what they are being offered, especially when they see the full price of the plan vs. what they will be paying after the subsidies kick in.

We also encourage folks to think outside the box about traditional health insurance. Many small businesses and nonprofits have been unable to afford group health insurance for their employees. There are many ways we can help both the bosses and the employees in these situations.

As a final reminder, those who are looking for health insurance should keep a close eye out for scams and imposter websites. There are two surefire ways to make sure you are not a victim: use an Enroll Wyoming Navigator or go directly to www.healthcare.gov. Please do not use Google to search for health insurance; you will almost assuredly end up getting scammed.

Enroll Wyoming’s role in helping the people of Wyoming with affordable access to quality health care is something I take great pride in. That being said, there are so many Wyomingites who are unaware of our services and who miss out on their opportunity for affordable coverage. If you know anyone who does not have health insurance or needs additional help, please put them in touch with us.

Scams. Lies. Misinformation.

Enroll Wyoming has to combat this as much as we fight to increase insurance literacy and increase the insured.

Helping people avoid fraudsters is a constant concern, but it increases during enrollment periods. Anecdotally, we are hearing too many stories about people trusting websites that overpromise and eventually underdeliver.

Even if you search online for Enroll Wyoming, our website may not be the top result. It appears other sites are paying to be included among our search results.

We want to stress that just because a site appears in a search for "Enroll Wyoming," it doesn't automatically mean we are connected.

Don't be too quick to give trust to someone who hasn't earned it. Dig a little deeper to see if a provider has a good reputation. Doing so today can save you heartache tomorrow.

Enroll Wyoming emphasizes that we provide our services for free without sales quotas or sales incentives because we know that helps us stand out. We hold ourselves to high standards

As part of educational outreach, Enroll Wyoming has been doing livestreams to explain how we help individuals, families, and businesses.

During our latest stream, Enroll Wyoming Project Director Jason Mincer and Lead Navigator Dasa Robertson talk about who qualifies for tax credits that make Health Insurance Marketplace plans more affordable. They also shared some ways that business owners and nonprofits can work with Enroll Wyoming to provide more options to their workers.

Even though the open enrollment period is about to end, it doesn't mean Enroll Wyoming gets to take much of a break.

We are partnering with the Wyoming Primary Care Association to host an open enrollment debrief online on from 1-3:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 30. We will review what went well, what we could improve, and what's next. Topics will include Medicaid unwinding, special enrollment periods, and the family glitch fix/family coverage option, along with small group discussion.

Register here. Please share the link with others you think would like to attend. We look forward to a good discussion on Jan. 30.

-- Enroll Wyoming will be at the Evanston Regional Hospital on Wednesday, Jan. 11, at 190 Arrowhead Drive in Evanston.

-- Enroll Wyoming will have a Navigator available to assist with enrollments and general inquiries starting at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, and on Sunday, Jan. 15, at the Natrona County Library's Barbara Bush Reading Room at 307 E. Second Street in Casper.

-- A Navigator will be available to assist with enrollment from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, at One Health at 201 East Fifth St. in Sheridan. Call 307-674-6995 to schedule an appointment.

-- Enroll Wyoming will have a Navigator available to assist with enrollments and inquiries starting at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, at the Kaycee Branch Public Library at 231 Ritter Ave. Kaycee.

-- You can catch Enroll Wyoming at the Albany County Public Library at 310 S. Eighth Street on Thursday, Jan. 12.

-- Look for Enroll Wyoming at the community health fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, at the Ford Wyoming Center at 1 Events Drive in Casper.

As a statewide nonprofit, Enroll Wyoming works with many partners in dozens of communities around the Equality State.

Click here or the graphic below to see flyers for upcoming events, details about important campaigns, and ways to make our communities better and brighter.