The state of Idaho has opened its annual enrollment for health insurance plans.
One hundred thousand people signed up last year, and about the same number is expected this year. There are 129 plans available, and four insurance carriers in most Idaho counties.
What's new is that many more new people are eligible to receive health coverage under the Medicaid expansion that was approved by voters and the legislature.
Pat Kelly, the executive director of Your Health Idaho, says 18,000 current enrollees are eligible for Medicaid.
“Now the good news for those 18 thousand, when they finish their eligibility application for this year, and they are still deemed eligible for Medicaid, they will not be renewed for 2020, and they will be enrolled directly into Medicaid,” Kelly said.
Kelly says others who may qualify for Medicaid because of their income who are not already enrolled in Your Health Idaho can contact the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
Otherwise, anyone interested in renewing their current health coverage or applying for one of the health plans offered under the Affordable Care Act in Idaho can find plan information online at yourhealthidaho.org.