Healthcare enrollment ends Sunday

JACKSON, Tenn.- With January 31st being the final day of the Affordable Healthcare Act enrollment period, health insurance professionals were at the NAACP building to assist Jackson get covered.

“Madison County has over 7,000 people that are in need of healthcare they qualify for,” said  Jackson-Madison County NAACP chapter President Harrell Carter. “This is an effort to help bring those number down. it’s very critical that we sign up as many folks as we possibly can.”

All weekend navigators like Merly Rice have worked to make it easy to get signed up. Rice said most of the people she’s helped don’t think they can afford insurance.

“Humana, United Healthcare,” said Merly Rice, “They’re not fly-by-night companies and people need to know that as well.”

“For myself I think it’s kind of difficult,” said Madison County resident Eduardo Morales. “But it’s very professional how they have it prepared.”

Morales says it was by chance he passed by the NAACP building Sunday, but he’s glad he did.

“People keep saying we need insurance, we need insurance but they don’t get in touch with the agencies or the right persons,” said Morales. “So they just keep saying they need insurance but they never buy the insurance.”

“I’ve had a lot of experiences that have been so gratifying to me personally,” said Rice. “People who have not ever had insurance before have gotten insurance for the first time.”

After Sunday, the uninsured face a fine of $695 per adult, more than $300 per child or forfeit more than 2% of you family gross income.

“People need to know that and enroll,” said Rice. “Not because of the penalty. They need insurance”

If you have started on your online application by midnight, you will be allowed to finish. This this enrollment deadline doesn’t effect those who are eligible for Tenn-Care.