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THOMPSON: STILL TIME TO SIGN UP FOR HEALTH INSURANCE, SHOP AROUND FOR BETTER PLAN AT BETTER PRICE

February 28, 2014

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) reminds constituents today that there is still time to sign up for a new health insurance plan, or shop around for a different plan if your current one does not meet your health care needs. Open enrollment goes through March 31st 2014.

“There is just over a month left to get signed up for health insurance,” said Thompson. “If you want coverage for the first time, or want to shop around for a better plan at a better price you have until the end of March to do so. Make sure to take advantage of this time to find a plan that’s right for you and your family.”

If people are changing their plans, they need to make sure there is not a lapse in coverage. If you enroll in a new plan between today and March 15th, 2014, that plan will not take effect until April 1st, 2014. If you enroll between March 16th, 2014, and March 31st, 2014, that plan will not take effect until May 1st, 2014. Constituents should contact their current insurance provider and Covered California to ensure that there is not lapse in coverage.

Under the new law, millions of young adults are able to stay on their parents’ health insurance plans; more than 100 million Americans have received free preventive services such as mammograms and colonoscopies; children can no longer be denied insurance because they have a pre-existing condition; seniors are saving money on prescription drugs; insurance companies can no longer drop a woman’s coverage because she becomes pregnant, or kick people off of their insurance plan if they become sick; and. women can no longer be charged substantially higher premiums than men for the same coverage.

To shop around for new plans and to compare costs and coverage, visit Covered California’s website, https://www.coveredca.com/. So far, nearly 830,000 people in our state have signed up for health insurance through Covered California. Financial assistance may be available for those who qualify.

Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California’s 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.

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Issues:Health Care