Today is a special day. Open enrollment for the health insurance marketplace runs from Nov. 1, 2023, to Jan. 16, 2024. That means people can sign up for affordable health coverage starting today.

Enroll Wyoming offers free assistance to those who have questions about health care. We expect to be busy for the next few months helping people review options, compare plans, and enroll in coverage. Visit our website or call 211 to connect with one of our skilled navigators.

There are some additional deadlines to keep in mind for open enrollment. If you want your coverage to start on Jan. 1, 2024, you need to enroll in a health plan by Dec. 15, 2023. Those who enroll between Dec. 16-Jan. 16 will see their coverage start on Feb. 1, 2024.

Dec. 15 is also the deadline for current marketplace consumers to renew their coverage if they want to keep their bronze plan. Under new marketplace rules to increase savings for families, those who already have a bronze plan will be automatically enrolled in a similar silver plan if they do not make an active plan selection by the Dec. 15 deadline as long as a silver plan is available in the same network and the monthly premium does not cost more than the bronze plan.

Enroll Wyoming has some new resources to help people understand open enrollment. Our monthly video update featured open enrollment basics. In addition, Enroll Wyoming Project Director Jason Mincer was a guest on the Inspire Great Health podcast, where he talked about open enrollment.

We are asking partners and individuals to help spread the word by sharing informational materials through social media and newsletters. Find more informational resources like more graphics here.

Enroll Wyoming lets consumers set the pace during our free consultations. Some start from scratch when they meet us while others do research in advance. We welcome everyone, from those who want help with the basics like understanding premiums and deductibles to those who more advanced and complicated questions.

A helpful tool that can be used before, during, or after a meeting is the plan comparison tool. Put in some basic information like your ZIP code, household size, and income, and you can learn about what tax credits you may qualify for and what health plans would cost. You can even dig deeper into the details to see what medicines, facilities, and physicians would be covered by the different plans.

What are three words that come to mind when you think of open enrollment? "Let's do this!" Navigator Abby Pratt

What can people do to be ready for an open enrollment appointment? "Be ready to provide a usable email address for username on the account, have given legal names for applicants (for example "Catherine," not "Cathy"), birthdates, Social Security numbers, taxes, or some sort of income verification information."

Navigator Cynthia Nunley

What typically happens during an open enrollment appointment?

"I like to have a conversation with the consumer when we start. I tell them a little bit about Enroll Wyoming but mostly I am listening to what their needs are and what they are looking for. We can look at eligibility quickly and see if a person/family is eligible and how much of a premium tax credit they may qualify for before we start the application." Navigator Festi Edwards

What would you say to those who are looking into open enrollment? "Schedule an appointment. Even if you choose not to sign up for a plan, you have the info for the future." Project Director Jason Mincer

Do you have anything else to add? "We are here for the long term. It may not end with enrolling in a plan. I emphasize that if there are difficulties down the line, we're here to help." Navigator Gerry Minick 

Enroll Wyoming’s Behavioral Health Redesign Team is looking for team members across the state to join us in a temporary position that will last at least until July 2024. If you are willing to work remotely, to travel within your region to behavioral health centers, and to help an underserved community get all the help that they can, then please keep an eye out for the information coming in the next edition of The Buzz.

When they are ready, the postings will be listed on the Cheyenne Regional Medical Center job site.

-- Look for the Enroll Wyoming table at the annual Community Recreation Foundation Craft Fair from 3-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Ford Wyoming Center on 1 Events Drive in Casper.

Learn more about health insurance during the Apprentice/Trades Day Career Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, at the Pathways Innovation Center at 3000 Independence Court in Casper.

-- Enroll Wyoming will be available to work with people by appointment from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 20-21 at the Natrona County Public Library on 307 East Second Street in Casper. To make an appointment, call the reference desk at 307-237-4935.

-- Watch the next Enroll Wyoming update video at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 26, on Facebook or YouTube.

Click the graphic below for community and partner events

To submit a flyer for an upcoming edition of The Buzz, email caleb@enrollwyo.org.