Grace Advertising & Consulting, Inc.

5/ TheBucknerClarion.com October 29, 2015 Open Enrollment Begins Nov. 1 During the 2014-2015 Health Insurance Marketplace open enrollment period, 253,969 Missourians purchased insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA), according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This number is up 101,634 from the previous (very first) enrollment period. Nationally, last year's open enrollment netted 11.4 million enrollees. This year marks the third open enrollment period runs from November 1, 2015 through January 31, 2016. However, the last day to make changes to current plans is December 15, 2015. Julie Bartley, ACA Marketplace coordinator for the Health Care Collaborative (HCC) of Rural Missouri and its Live Well Community Health Centers in Waverly and Concordia, gives a word of caution to anyone enrolled who received a subsidy through the marketplace last year. "If you [have not] filed your 2014 taxes by the end of this year, you will lose your tax credit for the 2015-2016 enrollment period," she said. "It's a requirement…If you received an Advanced Premium Tax Credit (APTC), you need to file those taxes. That's how the government reconciles that you received the correct subsidy amount to offset the cost of your insurance." Those who haven't filed may still be able to purchase insurance through the marketplace but will not be eligible for the tax credit, also referred to as a discount or subsidy, to help cover the cost of their insurance. Additionally, Bartley said anyone who received enrollment assistance last year may not necessarily need assistance with the enrollment process this year, but it may be a good idea do get it anyway. "If the plan they enrolled in last year is no longer offered, the Marketplace will roll them over to a plan that is similar," Bartley said. "They would then lose a bit of control when it comes to selecting what's best for their current situation, and their tax credit, if they received one, could differ." Because the tax credit is based off of Federal Poverty Level guidelines, it is important to make any necessary adjustments and updates in order to help families and individuals receive subsidy amounts that are as close to accurate as possible. If not, a consumer could be paying the difference during the 2015 tax season. Just as in previous years, there is a penalty for most people without "minimal essential coverage." Depending on household income, it could cost $325 per adult and $162.50 per child – or 2 percent of income, whichever is greater. This year, individuals and families that make under $48,750 could pay a "flat dollar amount" of up to $975 per household. Some people may be exempt from paying the penalty. "If they go through the process and don't qualify, they will receive documentation with an exemption number," Bartley said. "They just take the document and include it with their taxes and they are good to go." The HCC and its Live Well Community Health Centers have helped over 400 people with Marketplace or Medicaid enrollment and encourage anyone uninsured to contact them for help. "If you don't qualify for ACA or Missouri Medicaid, but still need primary, mental or oral health care, there are several locations to get help," Bartley said. "Call us toll free for more information, 1.877.344.3572." Bartley added that the Live Well Community Health Centers are Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) that base doctor visit fees on income. "Our goal is to provide as many people as we can with the services they need," she said. For anyone interested in learning more about the Marketplace, HCC will hold an enrollment open house on November 1, 2015 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The community is invited to visit and pick up useful information or they can enroll that day. To ensure an enrollment spot that day, call 660.259.2440 to schedule an appointment. Believe in Buckner Launches Two Community Initiatives Believe in Buckner, a 501 c 3 nonprofit organization, has plans to build a Pavilion on the southwest corner of Hudson and Adams. The pavilion is slated to be 20 x 16 – with open sides – that could be used for a stage area to host community events. The lot would share both the proposed pavilion and parking area, which is a need for downtown Buckner. "This will have to be a community effort," said Mike Larkin, the organization's president. "We are reaching out to the community for donations, volunteers and dedication from people who want to better the community." In a first-time move, Believe in Buckner is also bringing "Shop with a Cop" to the city. The program allows disadvantaged and/or at-risk youth in Buckner, Sibley and Levasy, ages 8 to 12, to shop with a Buckner Police Department officer for Christmas gifts. Participating children will be identified by schools, churches, youth organizations and social service organizations. At least 10 children will be allotted money to purchase gifts for his or her family, as well as gifts for themselves. Parents are asked to bring their children to Buckner City Hall on December 19, 2015. Ununiformed police officers will volunteer their time to have lunch with the youth at 11 a.m. Afterward, children will participate in a law enforcement procession and head to the stores to shop with their "Cop for the Day." "We are really excited to help with the Shop with a Cop program," Larkin said. "We think it's a really great program. At a time when you hear so much negativity about the police, it gives children a chance to have positive interactions with the police department. I'm just really glad we are able to help out with that." The program aims to deter children from crime and violence. To donate, make checks payable to Believe in Buckner (memo: Shop with a Cop) and send or deliver in c/o Larkin Contracting, P.O. Box 167, 305 S. Hudson Street, Buckner, Mo. 64016. All donations are tax deductible. 2015-2016 Open Enrollment Is November 1, 2015 thru January 31, 2016.

• Cover