Jan 31, 2015 3 min read

For the first time in nine months, Kaitlyn Oakley can breath a sigh of relief.

On Saturday, the Washington resident was among 20 people to attend a free health insurance enrollment event at St. Paul AME Church, 16 Ridge Avenue. The event helped area residents understand and enroll in the health insurance marketplace and the new Medicaid expansion which went into effect Jan. 1.

After receiving enrollment assistance, Oakley, 25, was able to find coverage she could afford. Although she is an assistant manager with a chain store in Washington, Oakley said she doesn’t qualify for insurance through her employer. She was covered through her parents’ insurance, but circumstances left her uninsured.

“I have to get separate eye and dental insurance, but this is a big relief,” she said. “I have medical reasons that I need insurance. I had been looking online, but couldn’t find anything I could afford.”

The event, which was sponsored by the Washington branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, also brought attention to the approaching deadline for marketplace enrollment, Feb. 15. Melissa Herd, executive officer for the U.S. Department of HHS, said those without health insurance will be required to pay a fee. This year, the fee will be $325 per person or 2 percent of their income, whichever is higher.

Herd gave a brief presentation including an overview of the marketplace. She said premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions are available to help lower costs.

Erin Ninehouser, the education and outreach director for Pennsylvania Health Access Network, said families or individuals making less than 138 percent of the poverty level qualify for the Medicaid expansion. There is no deadline for apply for services under the Medicaid expansion, and there is no income limit for the marketplace.

Ninehouser encourages anyone without insurance to apply.

“A lot of things have changed from last year,” she said. “No one can be turned away for not making enough money.”

Although Saturday’s group was small, Ninehouser said the group was engaged and that a large portion of attendees asked questions or sought assistance.

Oakley said the process was quick-the average time to enroll takes between 30 and 45 minutes- and the assistance was helpful. She said the marketplace provides a variety of options.

For more information or assistance in enrolling for the Medicaid expansion, call 1-877-570-3642 or visit helpline@pahealthaccess.org. For more information or assistance in enrolling in the marketplace, call 1-800-318-2596 or visit healthcare.gov.