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Open enrollment period open — until Dec. 15 — for signing up for or changing health insurance plan


Kentucky Today

Open enrollment is now underway at the Kentucky Health Benefits Exchange for 2019 health insurance plans.


Kentuckians who do not want to make changes to their plans next year will be automatically re-enrolled, but officials with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services encourages everyone to check the status of their enrollment and selected coverage options. In many cases, policyholders will have the same plan for 2019 or their coverage will move from their current plan to an available 2019 option that most closely matches their current coverage. 


“Some Kentucky counties now offer two options for health insurance carriers. Anthem has expanded its service area to cover an additional 34 counties over its 2018 offerings,” said Edith Sloan, Director of the Kentucky Health Benefit Exchange. “Remember to update your application even if you were covered last year so you can get the most current information on what savings are available to you and so you can find a plan that meets your needs.”


About 80 percent of Kentuckians enrolled in the exchange qualify for tax credits or subsidies that reduce their monthly health insurance premiums. For most of those who qualify, the credits will off-set any premium increases so the cost of insurance in 2019 will be about the same as this year.


A state-based call center is available at 855-459-6328 to assist Kentuckians with questions about where to go for coverage. The call center can help prescreen for program eligibility and help with questions and information.


Current plan holders, and those who want to view 2019 options on the exchange, can now go to www.healthcare.gov and use the shopping tool. 

For new users, the federal marketplace requires the creation of a user account and a completed online application.


The Kentucky Health Benefits Exchange is coordinating with community assisters who service every county in the Commonwealth.  

Assistors and KHBE staff will be at community outreach events across the state. To find an event in your area or to locate an assistor near you, who can answer your questions and guide you through the application process, simply log on to this website.


The enrollment deadline is Dec. 15.


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