Cover Oregon re-enrollment lags on federal website - News - MailTribune.com - Medford, OR

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2015-07-11

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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation  |  Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED   » NEWS NOW   Oregon charter fishing company accused of pocketing money for licenses       ...       The writing's on the wall       ...       Oregon Republicans bruised by 'partisan' legislative session       ...       Oregon charter fishing company accused of pocketing money for licenses       ...       The writing's on the wall       ...       Oregon Republicans bruised by 'partisan' legislative session       ...           STATE HEALTH CARE Cover Oregon re-enrollment lags on federal website Many who signed up on Cover Oregon face coverage gap Comment By Gosia Wozniacka The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Gosia Wozniacka The Associated Press Posted Dec. 5, 2014 at 8:55 PM By Gosia Wozniacka The Associated Press Posted Dec. 5, 2014 at 8:55 PM »  Social News   PORTLAND — Only about one in 10 Oregonians who previously signed up for private health care insurance through the state health insurance exchange has re-enrolled through the federal portal, officials said. The state abandoned the troubled Cover Oregon health care site in the spring and switched to the federal site, HealthCare.gov. Open enrollment on the federal site runs through mid-February. But all those who bought coverage through the now-defunct state exchange must re-enroll via the federal site by Dec. 15 or face a break in coverage in January. Cover Oregon officials say just 7,200 Oregonians had selected a private health insurance plan through the federal portal by the end of November. About 77,000 Oregonians were enrolled through Cover Oregon in 2014. A total of 105,000 actually enrolled but some dropped off due to cancellations and terminations. "People tend to wait until the last minute, but it's important that you don't wait too long," Oregon Insurance Commissioner Laura Cali said in a statement. Oregon and Nevada, which also switched to the federal portal, are the only two states where all residents previously enrolled through the state exchanges must re-enroll. In other states that rely on HealthCare.gov, people who don't make a new plan selection are automatically re-enrolled in the same or similar plan for 2015. Some of those who've enrolled thus far via HealthCare.gov may have been previously uninsured. A study released in September showed about 200,000 Oregonians, or 5 percent of the population, remained without coverage. Some could be people who previously had coverage through an employer, or whose income dropped, thus allowing them to purchase insurance on the exchange. The data show an additional 12,000 Oregonians enrolled in private coverage outside HealthCare.gov. Those numbers were reported to the state by insurance carriers. Oregonians who are covered through the Oregon Health Plan, the state's version of Medicaid, are not required to re-enroll. However, those seeking new Medicaid coverage will also use HealthCare.gov. Cover Oregon officials are running an ad campaign on social media and television, and holding enrollment events to attract more previously enrolled people to sign up again. By Gosia Wozniacka The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Gosia Wozniacka The Associated Press Posted Dec. 5, 2014 at 8:55 PM » Comment or view comments   Reader Reaction »  STAY INFORMED   Email NewsLetter   Sign Up Today   Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed   Email newsletter   Sign Up Today   Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.    Privacy Policy  |  Terms of Service  |  Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501