'Navigators' to host Nov. 1 health insurance fairs

If you purchased your current health insurance through NY State of Health: The Official Health Plan Marketplace, or if you plan such a purchase for 2015, this announcement's for you.

Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center and The Dale Association will host simultaneous Affordable Care Act health insurance fairs from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.  Saturday, Nov. 1, at two locations: the Summit Healthplex, 6934 Williams Road, Niagara Falls; and The Dale Association, 33 Ontario St., Lockport.

Titled "The Affordable Care Act Year Two: Now What?" the events will feature health insurance "navigator" teams from Niagara Falls Memorial, Dale Association, Neighborhood Legal Services and Public Policy Education Fund. Representatives from BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York, Fidelis Care, United Health Care and Univera will be on hand to present their products and answer health insurance questions.

EG Tax will have advisers on hand to discuss health insurance tax credits and their impact on income tax filing.

"All existing marketplace-qualified health plans will expire Dec. 31," said Christin Culligan, Memorial's director of health insurance in person assistance/navigation. "This year, individuals will need to determine if they want to stay in their current plan or change plans. Open enrollment is from this Nov. 15 to Feb. 15, 2015, but to have a plan in place by Jan. 1, you must enroll by Dec. 15."

The health insurance fairs are being held now "so consumers can do their homework, get all their questions answered, and make good, informed decisions for themselves and their families," she added.

Light refreshments will be served. Attendees will receive a special gift and be entered in a door prize drawing. The day's schedule at both sites:

•10 a.m. - Doors open, vendors available until 1 p.m.

•10:30 a.m. - Overview: Who is present today and who can help?

•11 a.m. - Application and enrollment process

•11:30 a.m. - Medicaid and Child Health Plus

•12 noon - Qualified health plans

•12:30 p.m. - Subsidies, tax credits and penalties

For information about the Affordable Care Act health insurance fairs, call 716-278-4264 or email [email protected].