2600 Cedar Ave., P.O. Box 2337, Laredo, TX 78044 Tel. (956) 795-4901 Fax. (956) 726-2632 Hector F. Gonzalez, M.D., M.P.H Director of Health . News Release Date: To: From: Through: February 9, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE All Media Contacts City of Laredo Health Department Hector F. Gonzalez, MD, MPH, Director of Health 3rd Affordable Care Act Informative Sessions and Open Enrollment Event WHO: City of Laredo Health Department WHAT: Affordable Care Act Informative Sessions and Open Enrollment Event WHEN: Thursday February 12, 2015 From 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. WHERE: City of Laredo Health Department Auditorium 2600 Cedar Avenue, Laredo, Texas WHY: Enrollment for First time: Because Laredo has up to 40% of the population uninsured, we urge everyone to get informed and enroll in the Marketplace Health Insurance to make sure we access health care early and prevent many potential health problems. Open Enrollment started November 15, 2014 and will end on February 15, 2015 unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period like marriage, birth of a child or loss of other health coverage. Re-enrollment: Most people with 2014 coverage were automatically enrolled in a health plan, with coverage starting January 1. You can change plans until February 15, even if the coverage you were automatically re-enrolled in has started. However we strongly recommend you log in to your Marketplace account, update the information on your application, and check out all plans available to you for 2015. Better plans and prices may be available to you this year, and it’s important that you get the right amount of savings based on your updated information. Your 2014 health coverage may affect your income taxes:  Will have to provide additional information when you file your 2014 federal income tax return  You may have to complete one or two new tax forms  You may have to get a health coverage exemption or pay a fee with your tax return  If anyone in your household enrolled in a health plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace in 2014, you’ll get a new Form 1095-A — Health Insurance Marketplace Statement. You'll get it in the mail by early February. Use it to file your 2014 federal income tax return. There are several local entities that have Certified Application Counselors (CAC) or Navigators that can help you understand, apply, and enroll for health coverage through the Marketplace at no cost; you just need to set up and appointment and bring the following documents: For individual applicants: · Social Security Number (SSN) or Document Number if legal immigrant · Employer and income information from W-2 or pay stub, including Federal Employer Identification Numbers (FEIN) · Information about any job related health insurance and the policy For family applicants: · Same information as above but for each member If you need assistance to enroll in the Marketplace Insurance call the City of Laredo Health Department at (956) 795-4903 and (956)795-4900. You can also link to www.healthcare.gov or see attached list for local help. Laredo Market Place Health Insurance Help 1. Methodist Health Care Ministries of South Texas Inc. PH: (210) 692-0234 2. Asociación Pro Servicios Sociales, Inc. PH: (956) 726-6244 3. City of Laredo Health Department PH: (956) 795-4900 or 795-4907 4. Gateway Community Health Center, Inc. PH: (956) 523-3622 5. South Texas Development Council PH: (956) 722-3995 6. Firstsource Solutions USA, LLC dba MedAssist PH: (888) 982-9144 7. Laredo Regional Medical Center LP PH: (956) 523-2000 8. BCFS –Healthy Start PH: (956) 712-4700 D O YO U N E E D I NSURANCE? A F F O R DA B L E H E A LT H Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment Event Thursday February 12, 2015 9:00 am to 4:00 pm City of Laredo Health Department Auditorium 2600 Cedar Ave. Laredo TX. 78040 The City of Laredo Health Department invites you to attend our Affordable Care Act Informative Sessions and Open Enrollment Event so you can get information and assistance to enroll in the Marketplace Health Insurance. Remember the deadline for enrollment is February 15 2015. Requirements: For more information please call: (956)795-4907 and (956)795-4918 For individual applicants:  Social Security Number (SSN) or Document Number if legal immigrant  Employer and income information from W-2 or pay stub, including Federal Employer identification Numbers (FEIN)  Information about any job related health insurance and the policy For family applicants:  Same information as above but for each member N E C E S I TA S E G U RO M E D I C O C O S TO ? A BAJO Evento de Inscripción Abierta a la Ley de Cuidado de Salud a Bajo Precio Jueves Febrero 12, 2015 9:00 am a 4:00 pm City of Laredo Health Department Auditorium 2600 Cedar Ave. Laredo TX. 78040 El Departamento de Salud de Laredo le invita a asistir a nuestro Evento de sesiones Informativas e Inscripción Abierta a la Ley de Cuidado de Salud a Bajo Precio, para que pueda obtener información y asistencia para inscribirse en el Mercado de Seguros de Salud 2015. Recuerde que la fecha limite de inscripción es Febrero 15 de 2015. Requisitos: Para mas información llame al: (956)795-4907 y (956)795-4918 Para aplicantes individuales:  Numero de Seguro Social (SSN) o Numero de Documento en caso de inmigrantes legales.  Talones, formularios W-2, ó "comprobantes de salarios e impuestos"  Información y póliza de cualquier seguro de salud del trabajo actual (si aplica) Para aplicación familiar:  La misma información mencionada antes pero de cada aplicante.