DHSS Press Release

STATE'S 'CHOOSE HEALTH' WEBSITE HELPS DELAWAREANS PREPARE FOR OCT. 1 OPENING OF HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETPLACE

NEW CASTLE (Aug. 22, 2013) - Delawareans who want to sign up for health insurance through the state's new marketplace can prepare now for the Oct. 1 start of the enrollment period by going to www.ChooseHealthDE.com

ChooseHealthDE.com is the state's official marketplace source for individuals, families, small business owners and others to access up-to-date information about healthcare reform and the federal Health Insurance Marketplace, where people who are uninsured or underinsured can shop for plans and enroll starting Oct. 1 for coverage that begins Jan. 1, 2014. Open enrollment will continue through March 31, 2014, for coverage in 2014.

Individuals can use the site now to answer a few quick questions and learn if they might qualify for lower costs on monthly premiums or out-of-pocket costs, or get free or low-cost coverage. Until the actual plans and rates become available Oct. 1, users can get a rough estimate of costs and savings by using a subsidy calculator created by the nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation.

Partner organizations such as hospitals, health care centers and nonprofits can help residents prepare for the marketplace by visiting the partner section of the site, which includes shareable website "badges" that link to www.ChooseHealthDE.com

Other key features of the site include crucial dates relating to the marketplace and the essential health benefits that will be covered. Users can also sign up to receive email updates on specific topics of interest.

"The Choose Health Delaware site is a great introduction to the marketplace and an excellent place to find answers to basic questions," says Rita Landgraf, secretary of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services. "It's a good way to prepare for the open enrollment period that starts Oct. 1. We strongly encourage people to visit ChooseHealthDE.com and to spread the word to family and friends who can benefit from the Marketplace."

About Choose Health Delaware: Choose Health Delaware is the official resource for information on how the healthcare reform law benefits Delaware residents and business owners. Choose Health Delaware introduces individuals to the new Health Insurance Marketplace and explains why health insurance is important for everyone. For more information, go to www.ChooseHealthDE.com

For more information about Delaware's Health Insurance Marketplace, go to www.ChooseHealthDE.com or contact Jim Grant, Marketplace Communications Coordinator, at (302) 255-9251.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.