St. John’s Wellness offers the following tips for those interested in enrolling in Affordable Care Act (ACA) 2018 health insurance:

1. The enrollment period for signing for 2018 insurance through ACA is shorter this year; it is only open November 1-December 15, 2017.

2. It is important to review your application, rather than simply allowing the Marketplace to re-enroll you, as this may save you money. Updating your information annually ensures that you are receiving appropriate financial assistance from the Marketplace.

3. There are four ways to apply for health insurance coverage through the marketplace: online, by phone, in person, or by mail. Details are available at healthcare.gov.

4. If you have questions, certified marketplace navigators from St. John's Medical Center are currently offering free appointments to Teton County, WY residents. Navigators can assist with the application process and help determine a person's monthly premium through the healthcare.gov Marketplace. Navigators provide one-hour appointments at Teton County Library on Tuesday evenings. Call the Library front desk at 733-2164, extension 1, to schedule your appointment. A limited number of appointments are available at St. John’s Medical Center, Monday through Friday, by calling 739-7247.

5. Health insurance deductibles reset for all plans on January 1, 2018.

6. A fee called the “individual shared responsibility payment” (also called the fine, penalty, or individual mandate) is imposed upon all tax filers who have not had health insurance for three consecutive months or more in a calendar year (unless the filer meets criteria for an exemption).

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Media contacts: Karen Connelly, 307 739 7380, kconnelly@tetonhospital.org (link sends e-mail)

ABOUT ST. JOHN’S MEDICAL CENTER
St. John's Medical Center in Jackson, Wyoming, offers patient-centered clinical excellence and community wellness services through a full-service hospital, primary care, and specialty physician practices, and a long-term care Living Center.

ABOUT ST. JOHN’S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
The mission of the St. John’s Hospital Foundation is to broaden the community’s understanding of and support for St. John’s Medical Center and to inspire philanthropy to improve the health of our community. For more information about the Foundation, please contact John Goettler at 307.739.7516 or jgoettler@tetonhospital.org