BROOKVILLE, Pa. – Navigating all the information on health insurance can be downright frustrating. Too often, it is so confusing that people simply go without insurance, betting on good health.
Unfortunately, besides unforeseen accidents and illness, going without health insurance results in a stiff tax penalty. Uninsured Americans may be surprised when they visit their tax preparers this year. Next year, the penalty will be even worse: $695 per adult and $347 per child for a maximum of $2,085.
The federal government created the Health Insurance Marketplace to help Americans purchase insurance through its website www.healthcare.gov. To many, the website is confusing and hard to navigate. For those without computers, access is nearly impossible.
The Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers (PACHC) saw these problems and has given a grant to Penn Highlands Healthcare to employ a Navigator to help walk people through the Marketplace and find the right insurance. Andrea Stewart has been appointed to that position and has an office at Penn Highlands Brookville.
“You are required to have health insurance,” said Stewart. “If you don’t, come in, and I’ll help you. We’ll sit at my computer, and I’ll walk you through the steps.”
There is no fee for this service, and Stewart is currently the only Navigator in the area. The next closest Navigators are located in Altoona and Warrendale. She gives fair and impartial information and will not point people in the direction of a specific insurance provider. She will help those who qualify for medical assistance or Medicare to enroll in those programs and will help everyone find the best coverage for the lowest possible premium.
To schedule an appointment, please call 814-849-1412 or email alstewart@phhealthcare.org.
(Submitted by Karen J. Hazlett, Marketing/PR Specialist, Penn Highlands Brookville)
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