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SCC encourages Virginians to shop for health care during open enrollment

Rebecca Barnabi
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Open enrollment for Marketplace begins today for 2023 health care coverage.

Available at HealthCare.gov through January 15, 2023, the State Corporation Commission encourages Virginians in need of health care to enroll now during the  only time consumers can enroll in coverage, without a qualifying life event that can make you eligible for a Special Enrollment Period.

The Inflation Reduction Act enhanced premium credits for 2023 and more Virginians will be eligible for financial assistance, according to a press release. The federal government recently corrected the “family glitch” so that financial assistance is available to family members of certain workers whose employer provided insurance may not be affordable for spouses and dependents.

Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) must provide coverage for 10 essential health benefits:

  • Ambulatory care
  • Emergency services
  • Hospitalization
  • Maternity and newborn care
  • Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices
  • Laboratory services
  • Preventative and wellness services for chronic disease management
  • Pediatric services, including oral and vision care
  • Mental health, behavioral health and substance use disorder services
  • Prescription drugs

Qualified Health Plans prohibit denials for pre-existing conditions, require zero co-pays on preventative care, and have no lifetime maximums on covered benefits.

At least two health carriers participate in Marketplace in every county and region across the Commonwealth for coverage that begins Jan. 1, 2023.

Local navigators can be found at the Enroll Virginia website or by calling 1-888-392-5132.

Rebecca Barnabi

Rebecca Barnabi

Rebecca J. Barnabi is the national editor of Augusta Free Press. A graduate of the University of Mary Washington, she began her journalism career at The Fredericksburg Free-Lance Star. In 2013, she was awarded first place for feature writing in the Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia Awards Program, and was honored by the Virginia School Boards Association’s 2019 Media Honor Roll Program for her coverage of Waynesboro Schools. Her background in newspapers includes writing about features, local government, education and the arts.