Pictured Carolyn Thomson, ACA Health Insurance Navigator, Health Insurance Navigation Program with Epilepsy Florida

Monroe County Residents Are Finding Affordable Health Insurance During Open Enrollment

Free assistance with the annual Open Enrollment application process still available to Monroe County residents through January 15, 2023

(Monroe County, Fla) – Community organizations including Womankind, Health Insurance Navigation Program with Epilepsy Florida, Community Health of South Florida (CHI) and Rural Health Network, are all offering free assistance to Monroe County residents to help shop, compare, enroll, change or renew health insurance plans for 2023.

Carolyn Thomson is a federally certified ACA Health Insurance Navigator with scheduled events throughout the Open Enrollment period to make it convenient for Monroe County residents to come see her in person to ask questions and get personalized help. And, if people can’t make it to one of her schedule events, Carolyn is also available for phone appointments.

“I’ve been crazy busy throughout Open Enrollment helping lots of folks with their health insurance needs,” said Carolyn Thomson, ACA Health Insurance Navigator.  “I have found there is a lot of confusion and misinformation about health insurance and the Marketplace and how it all works.  That’s where I come in,” she continued.  “I believe I am making a difference by providing educational information and guidance through the application process that results in people getting affordable health coverage.”

Carolyn will be speaking with US1 Radio’s Joe Moore on the “Morning Magazine” program on Monday, January 9 to share some of her local success stories from Open Enrollment.

  • Carolyn was able to help someone who speaks only Russian successfully enroll in a health insurance plan using Google translate.
  • Carolyn’s knowledge and experience reassured a couple who was trying to decide which plan was best for them for the new year.  After a successful enrollment they expressed their gratitude to Carolyn in a letter stating: “Thank you very much for your help and input. I am much more confident going into the new year since I have chosen the proper insurance plan with your help.”
  • A local woman insisted she “made too much money” to qualify and feared her premium would be too expensive.  Carolyn’s patience and persistence paid off when she was able to enroll the woman in an affordable plan. After the enrollment, the woman texted Carolyn to say “Happy to have found you!”
  • And there was a man who thought he couldn’t afford health insurance for his three children. He was overjoyed to discover, with Carolyn’s assistance, they qualified for a zero-premium plan.

The Florida Department of Health in Monroe County (DOH-Monroe) encourages everyone without health insurance to take advantage of the free assistance available in our community before the last day of the annual Open Enrollment period on January 15, 2023.

More information, including a tri-lingual video and downloadable resources in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole can be found on the DOH-Monroe web site with the following link:

https://monroe.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/community-partners/healthinsurance.html

Monroe County residents in need of health insurance should call one of the following 4 organizations as soon as possible:

  • Womankind (305-879-1965 or 305-294-4044)
  • Health Insurance Navigation Program at Epilepsy Alliance Florida (877-553-7453)
  • Community Health of South Florida (CHI) (Key West or Tavernier – 786-387-9260; Marathon – 305-926-0259)
  • Rural Health Network (305-517-6613, ext. 517)

Carolyn Thomson will be available at the following locations until January 15, 2023.

  • Mondays from 10 AM – 2 PM:  Gato Building, 1100 Simonton Street, Key West
  • Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 AM -5 PM:  Mount Sinai/Key West Medical Center, 2505 Flagler Avenue, Key West

Community Health of South Florida (CHI) will have a certified health counselor available in Marathon and Tavernier for in person free assistance.  See attached CHI flyer for exact dates, times and locations.

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