GET FREE HELP SIGNING UP FOR HEALTH INSURANCE JAN. 29 AT WILMINGTON UNIVERSITY IN NEW CASTLE

NEW CASTLE (Jan. 26, 2015) - Delawareans who need to sign up for health insurance by the federal deadline of Feb. 15 can get free help from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, at Wilmington University's Pratt Student Center, 320 N. DuPont Highway, New Castle.

Marketplace guides - certified enrollment assisters - will be on hand to help individuals and families apply and enroll in coverage for 2015 before the open enrollment period ends Feb. 15.

This special event is being held in connection with National Youth Enrollment Day, but all ages are welcome. Appointments are encouraged; email appointment@choosehealthde.com or call 855-279-8634.

Under the Affordable Care Act, all eligible residents are required to have qualifying health coverage, obtain an exemption, or pay a fee with their federal tax return. If you don't have coverage or an exemption in 2015, you'll pay the higher of these two amounts:

• 2% of your yearly household income (only the amount above the tax filing threshold, about $10,000 for an individual, is used to calculate the penalty) or,
• $325 per person for the year ($162.50 per child under 18). The maximum penalty per family using this method is $975. In addition to the penalty, individuals who aren't covered will be 100 percent responsible for any medical expenses they incur.

More than 80 percent of Delawareans who enrolled in 2014 through the Health Insurance Marketplace received help paying for their insurance.

Health benefits of insurance purchased through the Marketplace include coverage of pre-existing conditions, outpatient care, emergency services, hospitalization, prescription drugs, mental health and substance-use disorder services, lab services, pediatric services and more.

The Jan. 29 event is sponsored by Choose Health Delaware, the state's resource for the Health Insurance Marketplace. For more information about the Marketplace, including how to enroll and where to find free enrollment assistance every day through Feb. 15, go to ChooseHealthDE.com.

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.