The enrollment period for coverage under the Affordable Care Act is just six weeks. Enrollment opens today and ends Dec. 15.

PINELLAS COUNTY – U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, D-St. Petersburg, is reminding residents who have, or need, health insurance under the Affordable Care Act to move quickly to get covered.

Unlike the previous four enrollment periods that were three months long, the Trump administration has reduced the enrollment period to just six weeks. Open enrollment begins today (Nov. 1) and ends Dec. 15 on Healthcare.gov. It’s critical, Crist said, that consumers have the information they need to understand their options now.

“A reminder for my neighbors in Pinellas County: Open Enrollment season is upon us — if you purchase your own health insurance through the marketplace, this is the time when you can buy or change your health insurance plan for 2018,” Crist said in a video.”To get covered, visit Healthcare.gov. This is your chance to make changes that work best for you and your family. You can find plans with no-cost preventive care — like flu shots and mammograms — and most folks qualify for assistance with paying your premium.”

Pinellas County is also reminding residents to act quickly. During the open enrollment period, Health Care Navigators will be stationed throughout Pinellas to guide residents through their ACA insurance plan selections.

To ensure effective and efficient delivery of county services and support, multiple events are planned throughout the enrollment period. Pinellas County is partnering with libraries and neighborhood family centers to host enrollment events. Navigators are stationed across the county to provide easy access to assistance. Residents can make an appointment with a Navigator to:

• explore options, plan prices and benefits available through the Affordable Care Act
• obtain assistance in determining eligibility on sliding-scale subsidies and tax credits
• review any free or low-cost programs for which they may qualify
• receive referrals to alternative medical care
• obtain enrollment assistance to find a health care package best suited to their needs

Here is a list of some upcoming Navigator enrollment sessions in Pinellas County:

Saturday (Nov. 4)

• 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., St. Petersburg Main Library, 3745 9th Ave. N
• Noon – 4 p.m., Clearwater Main Library, 100 N. Osceola Ave.

Nov 11

• 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Pinellas County Human Services (St. Petersburg), 647 1st Ave. N.
• 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Pinellas County Human Services (Clearwater), 2189 Cleveland St. Ste. 230

Nov. 18

• 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., St. Petersburg Main Library, 3745 9th Ave. N
• Noon – 4 p.m..  Clearwater Main Library 100 N, Osceola Ave.

For a full schedule of events and to make an appointment with a Navigator, call (727) 464-8411 or  go to pinellascounty.org.

Photo of Charlie Crist is screengrab from video. Courtesy of U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist.

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