SSW MSW Blog
URGENT – March 17th Health Insurance Event for 3/31 Deadline
If you do not currently have health insurance, read this!
There is an event on campus on MONDAY, March 17th to provide students assistance in enrolling in either Medicaid or another health plan before the financial penalties take affect beginning March 31st. Many students will be eligible for Medicaid and other low-cost insurance options and should apply before the end of March. There will be health care navigators helping students to enroll in medical insurance on the spot on Monday.
If you’re covered currently under a parent’s or other policy, you don’t need to worry about this at this time, although you may want to apply to medicaid to receive additional coverage for which you might be eligible.
Three things UW students need to know before April 1, 2014:
· In 2014, college students, like others, will have to abide by the individual mandate in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which requires Americans to obtain insurance or pay an initial tax penalty ($95.00-$300.00). The deadline by which adult students must sign up for health insurance to avoid paying a penalty is March 31, 2014 (unless covered by a specific penalty exemption, such as not meeting income threshold for filing taxes). The penalty will increase more than sevenfold in the next two years, with the fine running as much as $695 per person by 2016. The family maximum would be as high as $2,085 (or 2.5 percent of family income, whichever is greater).
· Adults in Washington State who are at or below 138 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL)– about $15,000 for a single individual or $31,000 for a family of four – could qualify for health insurance coverage through Medicaid*. Medicaid provides free or low-cost health insurance to students who qualify. Eligible students can enroll in Medicaid at any time, although enrollment after March 31, 2014 could incur a penalty.
· Many working students who do not qualify for Medicaid income may qualify for subsidized health insurance plans.
The UW School of Public Health is committed to helping UW students understand their health plan options. Students who do not have health insurance should check out the State’s health benefits exchange website for more information or to enroll online, if appropriate (https://www.wahealthplanfinder.org/).
To assist students in this potentially complex transition, health plan navigators from Neighborcare Health will be available in the Health Sciences Lobby from 9am-5pm on Monday, March 17, 2014to assist with enrollment (directions attached – please ignore all references to Hogness Auditorium). For students who do not qualify for Medicaid, navigators can help those eligible to obtain coverage through the Health Exchange. We encourage UW students to stop by to discuss their current or future needs with a navigator.
These items are necessary for enrollment through the health exchange on March 17, 2014:
*List of household family member’ social security numbers
*Bank account or credit card
*Pay stubs that include employer information and address/ Most recent tax return
*Photo ID
*If born outside US, bring your passport/green card/ or Visa.
*Financial Aid award letter or records of out of pocket college expenses (tuition, books, lab fees, etc.)- students only
*Medicaid is not available for students who are only here on a student visa
*Medicaid is not available for students who are enrolled on their parents’ health insurance
The mission of Neighborcare Health is to provide comprehensive health care to families and individuals who have difficulty accessing care; respond with sensitivity to the needs of our culturally diverse patients; and advocate and work with others to improve the overall health status of the communities we serve.