Mississippians have just a few more days to sign up for health insurance through Healthcare.gov. MPB's Ashley Norwood reports the Affordable Care Act's open enrollment period ends this week.
More than 36,000 Mississippians have signed up for health insurance through Healthcare.gov this year. State Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney expects another 15,000 by the Friday deadline. Rita Moore has had a plan through the federal exchange for the last three years. She says she's watching for potential increases in premiums on the marketplace this year. If costs are too much she says she will select from another private insurance option.
"I have to be on medication for heart arrhythmia. So, that's going to be another cost to weigh the prescription medication with the premium costs. That's kind of where I am right now. I know I just have a few more days before I have to make my decision. I am sure I'll make the right one before Friday," says Moore.
Kathryn Rehner is with The Mississippi Health Access Collaborative. She says decisions made at the federal level have decreased the number of insurance options in the Mississippi marketplace.
There's just not as many options. We only have in Mississippi one issuer in the marketplace and they are offering fewer plans than what they did last year," said Rehner.
Ambetter from Magnolia Health is currently the only insurer offering plans in Mississippi through healthcare.gov.
Commissioner Chaney says he doesn't see that being a big issue.
"It would be nice for the consumer to have more than one choice but it is what it is. We are lucky we've got all 82 counties covered," said Chaney.
Despite some increase in costs, Mississippi has some of the lowest premiums in the nation according to Chaney.
The deadline to signup is Friday.
