Kind talks in La Crosse about importance of health insurance as deadlines draw near

Some important deadlines for health insurance are coming up in Wisconsin.

Those searching to be covered by BadgerCare Plus, a Medicaid program, have until Dec. 7 to sign up. Those seeking insurance on the individual market-place have until Dec. 15.

Congressman Ron Kind, in La Crosse on Friday, said the level of participation is strengthening the options for consumers.

“When insurance companies have to compete for our business, the consumer does better, as far as price. We’re seeing that expand now,” Kind said.

There are, unfortunately, some outliers in the form of short-term plans, which Kind says is just another word for junk plans.

The Congressman says the cheap and appealing options to those strapped for cash might end up hurting them in the end.

“I don’t want people driven to these short-term plans thinking they have comprehensive coverage,” Kind said, “Only to discover when they need it the most, it’s not covered, and they’re literally paying to be underinsured.”

The individual mandate portion of the Affordable Care Act is no longer valid.

Wisconsin Deputy Health Services Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk says, however, having coverage can help your physical and financial help.

“We never know when we might run into some unexpected medical event, and they are expensive,” she said, “and we know that medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy.”

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