With less than a month until the Jan. 31 enrollment deadline, Central Virginia Health Services, Inc. (CVHS) is in full swing with the 2016 health insurance open enrollment period.

This is the third year CVHS has been able to offer assistance with enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace to its patients and the community. 

CVHS staff is also available to provide consumers with assistance in understanding the Marketplace, the application process, and enrollment options.

Certified Application Counselors (CAC) are on staff and available at Charlotte Primary Care and the Health Center for Women and Families.

CACs are available to meet with consumers individually or as a group, and can answer any questions and help with the enrollment process from beginning to end.

They are willing to meet consumers at the practice location or at community locations upon request.

Tax penalties for those who do not have insurance will increase for 2016. CVHS Certified Application Counselors can help qualifying consumers apply for an exemption from the penalty.

Consumers are encouraged to schedule an appointment with a Certified Application Counselor as soon as possible to meet the Jan. 31 enrollment deadline.

The Marketplace allows consumers meeting certain household and income requirements to shop for affordable health insurance plans for themselves and/or their family.

As of March 2015, the Department of Health and Human Services estimated that more than 11 million people had signed up for health insurance coverage.

Going into its third year, the Health Insurance Marketplace is open for consumers to sign up for 2016 health insurance coverage from Nov. 1, through Jan. 31.

It is important to remember that if consumers signed up for insurance last year, a new application must be completed again this year. 

With a month left to enroll, consumers who do not make the Jan. 31 deadline will not be eligible to enroll in health insurance coverage until the next open enrollment period in late 2016 unless they experience a qualifying life event (i.e. marriage, birth of a child, loss of insurance coverage, etc.) and are deemed eligible for a special enrollment period.

In addition to assistance with health insurance enrollment, CVHS locations offer medical, dental and behavioral health services (services vary by location) to anyone who needs these primary care services.

Most insurance plans are accepted and a discount for services (based on family size and income) is available. CVHS is a non-profit, community based and directed organization that targets underserved populations across central Virginia.

To make an appointment to meet with a Certified Application Counselor for assistance enrolling in an insurance plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace, call (434) 581-3271 ext. 55555. For additional information, contact Amanda Palmore, director of marketing and government affairs, at  (434) 960-8315.