Are you aware Dec. 15 is the deadline to sign up for health insurance coverage that will begin Jan. 1? Are you having trouble finding health insurance for yourself and your family that fits your needs and budget? Are you curious if the Affordable Care Act (ACA) really will be affordable for you?

If you would like the assistance of a trained and certified Navigator to help you find out if you are eligible for cost savings and tax benefits and then review the health plans available, you can find that assistance at Legal Aid’s Altus Office, 3000 N. Main, #500.

For information and assistance with the ACA, call Paralegal Norma Parsons at 580.482.7431 and she will answer your questions over the phone, send you printed information or schedule you an appointment with her to shop the insurance marketplace. This free service is provided to Altus residents as part of a grant to help Oklahomans aware of their insurance options, and Ms. Parsons will not make any recommendations or decisions for you. She only will provide unbiased assistance in finding answers to your questions, reviewing policies for which you are eligible and can afford and assist you through the enrollment process.
 

Individuals can enroll themselves in quality healthcare plans in four ways:

1. By going online to HealthCare.gov and clicking on the “Get Coverage” icon at the top, selecting the name of your state, Oklahoma. Then you can review plans available based on your age, the county in which you live, your income and whether you smoke.

Health care at Legal Aid

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2. By calling the Marketplace for free assistance. This is not an insurance company but a free, impartial government website that provides customer service representatives to assist consumers. Translator services are available at this number for most foreign languages. This call center is open 24-7 to assist people with health insurance. The toll-free number is 1.800.318.2596. A customer service representative can answer your questions and help you enroll over the phone.

3. By contacting a certified Navigator, such as Norma Parsons at Legal Aid’s Altus office. Norma can answer your questions and help you find out what policies are available to you. Her direct line is 580.482.7431.

4. If you don’t have a computer or computer skills and don’t want to enroll over the phone or with the help of a Navigator, you can call Norma Parsons or the Marketplace call center at 1.888.318.2596 and request a paper application be mailed to you or have a friend download an application from HealthCare.gov for you.

Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma is a not-for-profit law firm, which provides free civil legal assistance to eligible low-income individuals and their families and to elderly persons in the areas of family, consumer, housing, health and employment. Legal Aid attorneys and staff work through a network of fully-staffed law offices and satellite offices, serving eligible clients in all 77 counties of Oklahoma. The statewide toll-free number to call for legal assistance is 1-888-534-5243.

Funding for Legal Aid is from the Legal Services Corporation, the State of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Bar Foundation, 16 United Way or United Fund organizations and aging agencies across the state, as well as generous attorneys, law firms, foundations, businesses and individuals.