Your Health Idaho, shorter enrollment period

Your Health Idaho is still going strong despite fears of possible changes due to health care being a hot button issue in the nation.

Your Health Idaho executive director, Pat Kelly, told KIFI/KIDK, “It’s business as usual,” with the health exchange.

Since it is not a federally run system, any changes made federally would not affect Idahoans on the exchange for several years.

“So there is a lot of talk certainly out of Washington about the future of ACA. For Idaho, it’s business as usual. We’re really excited to be here and serve the over 95,000 Idahoans that enroll via Your Health Idaho,” said Kelly.

While the health exchange does follow federal regulations, it centers on the needs of Idahoans.

“Any changes that do come out of Washington are likely to take a very long time to implement — a number of years in fact. So we remain nimble and ready to change if we need to,” said Kelly.

One change that is happening — the enrollment period is shorter this year. Enrollment opens Nov. 1 and closes Dec. 15. Your Health Idaho encourages you to look at the plans early and make a decision sooner rather than later.

“We have a great network of agents and brokers, and really they’re a tremendous resource to consumers. Look at our website, find the plan that’s best for you. And those agents and brokers — free to use and they’re really the experts. When was the last time we had an expert’s advice for free?” said Kelly.

Kelly said 90 percent of Idahoans enrolled by the Dec. 15 deadline last year. So the health exchange is confident this earlier deadline shouldn’t be an issue.