Health Coverage in Oregon Strong, Jan. 4

More than 148,000 Oregonians chose health plans for 2019 through HealthCare.gov, according to new data from the federal government. The sign-ups came during the Nov. 1 to Dec. 15 open enrollment period, the time window when people can buy health insurance for the upcoming year. Oregonians who enrolled in coverage during open enrollment, whether through HealthCare.gov or directly with an insurance company, must pay their premium when they receive their January bill in order to make their coverage effective. “Each enrollment is more than a number,” said Cameron Smith, director of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS). “It’s a family or an individual who needed health coverage they could afford, and found it through the marketplace.” The Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace, the state-level partner to HealthCare.gov, is a division of DCBS. “The Oregonians who signed up through HealthCare.gov confirm the value of this option for coverage and financial assistance,” said Chiqui Flowers, administrator of the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace. “Oregon will continue to support health care consumers, helping them understand their options for affording quality coverage and assisting them with the enrollment process.” The enrollment total is comparable to the number of enrollments during the same period last year. For 2018 coverage, 156,105 Oregonians chose health plans through HealthCare.gov. Now that open enrollment has ended, most people will be able to buy 2019 individual and family coverage only when they have a major life change, such as getting married, having or adopting a baby, or losing other coverage.