How much will insurance cost me? It depends; the only way to know exactly how much your insurance will cost is to fill out an application. In general, if you earn less than $15,856, you will qualify for free public health insurance. If you earn less than $45,960, you will qualify for credits to help pay for your insurance. These income cutoffs are for an individual and will vary depending on the size of your household.
Do I need to have insurance? Yes. Beginning in 2014, anybody with annual earnings above the federal tax filing limit (about $10,000) will need to have health insurance or pay a penalty on their taxes. However, even if you make less than that, you should apply, because you will likely qualify for free health insurance. Having insurance protects you from large medical bills and helps you and your family remain healthy.
How soon can I get health insurance? You can apply for insurance through Cover Oregon starting October 1st, 2013. Our program staff are available to assist you with that process. The earliest date your insurance coverage will begin is January 1st, 2014.
How do I sign up for health insurance? You can email us at SHOP@whitebirdclinic.org or call the Info Line at (541) 342-4357 to schedule an appointment. White Bird staff will be able to help you with your application. Alternatively, you can sign up on your own at www.CoverOregon.com or by calling Cover Oregon customer service at 855- COVER-OR.
What information do I need in order to apply for insurance? Please gather the following information before applying so we can find the right health coverage for you, and see how much financial help you might receive: social security number, residency card or immigration documentation; income documents and self- employment records such as your last tax return, most recent pay stub, financial statements or other sources of income; documentation about any health insurance plan/s that cover your household members. However, you do not need to provide proof of any of this information, so if you cannot find it, you should still come to your appointment. For example, as long as you know your social security number, you do not need to bring your social security card.
There is so much information out there and I don’t know what to believe. Where can I get more detailed information about healthcare reform and the Affordable Care Act? The Kaiser Family Foundation is a great resource for information on healthcare issues, and they’ve put together a handy Q and A to answer some of the common questions that are popping up at http://kff.org/health- reform/faq/health-reform- frequently-asked-questions/ Keep in mind that this information is on the national scale– if you want more details about how this applies to Oregon specifically, or if you just have questions, be sure to contact us!
What is Cover Oregon? Cover Oregon is a new way for you and your family to get health insurance. You can apply online for OHP, Healthy Kids, or commercial plans, and get help paying for them. To find out more, give us a call. You can also go to www.coveroregon.com or call 1-855-COVER-OR to receive information directly from Cover Oregon.