For the City-Times

Security Health Plan will help Wisconsinites who lost coverage through BadgerCare Plus when the Health Insurance Marketplace was launched.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid announced Thursday a 60-day special enrollment period for state residents who lost BadgerCare coverage this year. The special enrollment period will last until November 2, 2014. Responding to that announcement, Security Health Plan will help area residents apply for health insurance coverage.

“We know there are many people who didn’t understand subsidies and tax credits available and who remain without coverage,” said Marty Anderson, director of Marketing-Consumer Products for Security Health Plan. “This special enrollment period will allow individuals to get coverage now and not have to wait until January.”

Wisconsin residents who lost BadgerCare Plus coverage and do not have insurance will have until November 2 to apply for a special enrollment period. Most will qualify for significantly lower health insurance premiums and tax credits to cover the cost of health care services they receive. If they do not apply during this special enrollment period, they must wait until the next open enrollment period which begins November 15 to sign up for coverage that would be effective January 1, 2015.

When the Health Insurance Marketplace was created, about 63,000 adults with BadgerCare Plus coverage were given the chance to sign up for federally subsidized coverage. While many did enroll through the Health Insurance Marketplace, it’s estimated that about 30,000 took no action and are now without coverage.

“Anyone who was on BadgerCare Plus and is without coverage can contact our Marshfield office for help to complete an enrollment through healthcare.gov,” Anderson said.

For help enrolling, call 1-800-622-7790. Online enrollment information is available at [email protected]. or through www.healthcare.gov/.