There's still time to sign up for health insurance and avoid a penalty fee Flowers Hospital can help

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Posted by: raltman
Date: Jan 19 2015 11:18 AM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

There’s still time to sign up for health insurance and avoid a penalty fee

Flowers Hospital can help

If you’re uninsured, there’s still time to sign up for health insurance on the Health Insurance Marketplace and avoid the penalty. Under the Affordable Care Act, 2015 is the first year Americans must prove they had qualifying health insurance (or an approved exemption) for the previous year (when filing 2014 taxes), or face a tax penalty. 

 

For 2015, if you don’t obtain insurance by February 15, 2015, the last day of the Open Enrollment period, the penalty will be based upon your annual taxable income and the number of full months you don't have health insurance in 2015. The penalty fee is $325 per adult, $162.50 per child – up to $975/family or 2% of family income, whichever is higher. And, without insurance, you will be financially responsible for all of your medical costs.

 

The good news is, based on household income and dependents, some individuals may qualify for financial assistance from the government – or subsidies – toward the cost of the premium and other financial obligations like co-pays or deductibles.

 

“This is where Flowers Hospital can help the uninsured in our community,” said Talana Bell, CFO. “With many people lacking access to a computer or just needing help maneuvering through the enrollment website, our application counselors can help. We can assist individuals and their families with evaluating the available health plans and determining if they’re eligible for Medicaid or other insurance options.

Medicaid

In all states, Medicaid provides health coverage for some low-income individuals, families and children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities. In some states, the program covers all low-income adults below a certain income level.

 

“Even though Alabama has chosen not to expand Medicaid, there are still many individuals in our community who qualify for Medicaid coverage,” explained Bell. We can help screen these individuals and if they qualify, we can enroll them at any time, with health coverage beginning immediately. Let us help take the frustration out of the enrollment process. Call us at 334-944-7007 before February 15 to help you get a healthy start to the New Year.”

 

About Flowers Hospital

Flowers Hospital has served the healthcare needs of the Wiregrass for over 60 years.  The facility is not only an important resource for the Dothan community, it also serves as a major tertiary referral center for the Tri-State area of south Alabama, southwest Georgia, and northwest Florida.

 

By combining responsible personnel of approximately 1,200 employees, modern equipment and supplies, effective management, sophisticated support services, up-to-date professional education programs, and a staff of over 280 exceptional physicians, Flowers Hospital is able to assure patients of quality healthcare.

 

Flowers Hospital was named as one of the nation’s Top Performers on Key Quality Measures® by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of U.S. Healthcare Organizations, for attaining and sustaining excellence in the following measure sets: Heart Attack, Heart Failure, Pneumonia and Surgical Care.

 

For more information please visit www.flowershospital.com.

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