For those who receive their health insurance from the Affordable Care Act marketplace, the open enrollment period begins on November 1.

Spokesman for State Auditor and Insurance Commissioner Matt Rosendale, Kyle Schmauch provides details.

“People can get their health insurance through the individual marketplace, meaning through healthcare.gov. or through the Affordable Care Act also known as Obamacare, or for employers that offer small group coverage, or small business coverage, it is time for open enrollment for the 2021 health insurance plans,” said Schmauch. “Open Enrollment starts this Sunday November 1 and runs through December 15.”

Schmauch detailed the choices available to Montana families.

“Montana still has three different insurance companies offering Affordable Care Act or Obamacare coverage, including Blue Cross, the Mountain Health Co-Op, which used to be known as the Montana Health Co-Op but is now called the mountain health Co Op, and Pacific Source,” he said. “All of the companies have different options for people including slightly different benefits, and different prices, and then within each company's offerings there are different what are referred to as metal tiers. That is the system set up under Obamacare in which you can choose from bronze, silver or gold coverage.”

Schmauch said the Insurance Commissioner has a website specially designed to assist those who may have questions or problems.

“We also run a website from the State Auditor's Office called Montana Health Answers dot com,” he said. “That website provides a wealth of information for people to shop around and compare the different insurance options. They can look at prices, compare benefits, all the offerings and get a lot of questions answered. We also maintain a list of certified professionals that are licensed to our office to help you sign up for insurance if you need help. Again, that's Montana Health Answers.com.”

Rate comparison charts, a dental rate guide, and a cost sharing comparison chart for 2021 individual coverage are available here.

 

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