ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, begins November 1, but there are a few changes to know this year.
The ACA provides health insurance to people who do not have access to insurance through work or other means.
“Hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians are relying on the Affordable Care Act,” said Michael McDonald, Executive Director of Pisgah Legal Services.
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, premiums are expected to rise by an average of 26%, but could go higher. This is expected to be the largest increase since the law was implemented during the Obama administration.
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According to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid ServicesIn 2025 alone, 24 million Americans relied on the ACA.
In most states, registration opens Saturday and continues through January 15, 2025. But the new year may bring some changes.
In 2021, Congress expanded grants to help people pay for their plans. However, the subsidy is scheduled to expire at the end of this year. The expiration is a major part of the government shutdown, as Democrats are holding up the funding bill until Republicans agree to extend the subsidies. If you do not extend it, your health insurance premiums will skyrocket.
“Premiums for residents of western North Carolina can rise by 70 to 90 percent,” McDonald said.
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For example, someone paying about $325 per year for an insurance plan could see that increase to more than $1,500 per year.
“Approximately 500,000 North Carolinians could lose coverage due to the price increase,” McDonald said.
You have options for getting help. Pisgah Legal Services provides free legal services throughout Western North Carolina. We can help residents find the most affordable health care options during open enrollment.
“Unless something changes, I think there are going to be a lot of people in western North Carolina who will no longer have access to any health care at all,” McDonald added.
To learn more about Pisgah Legal’s health insurance assistance, call their office at 828-253-0406 or visit: website.
