Sign up with Health Insurance Marketplace before Feb. 15

With the Feb. 15 deadline approaching for getting health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace, Lake County residents have a variety of opportunities to sign up.

Enroll Lake County! navigators will be available Thursday, Jan. 29, in Round Lake to enroll Lake County residents in health insurance plans offered through the Health Insurance Marketplace and Medicaid.

From 4:30-8 p.m., bilingual navigators will be available at Village Elementary School, 880 Nippersink Road in Round Lake. Appointments, which can be made by calling (847) 377-4999, are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome.

Certified navigators are available seven days a week at a kiosk located near entrances C and D of the Gurnee Mills mall, 6170 W. Grand Avenue in Gurnee. Additional hours have recently been added to accommodate residents.

Appointments are now available from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Navigator services are free.

Additionally, navigators are available at the College of Lake County and at eight libraries in Lake County, including the Antioch, Fox Lake, Grayslake, Lake Villa, North Chicago and Round Lake Area public libraries; the Fremont Public Library District in Mundelein; and the Warren-Newport Public Library in Gurnee.

The hours vary, but have recently been increased to meet demand. For the available times at each site, or to make an appointment, call (847) 377-4999.

Enroll Lake County! was launched by the Lake County Health Department and local partners in 2013. Its focus is on educating and enrolling local residents in Medicaid and Health Insurance Marketplace plans.

While the Marketplace enrollment period will close Feb. 15, people can apply for Medicaid year-round. Whether an individual is low income, without a job, working part-time, had insurance but lost it, had a life change that changes his or her financial situation, or has insurance but wants to see if there is something more affordable, navigators can help.

Most uninsured Illinois residents can qualify for financial assistance to help lower their cost for insurance.

For details, contact the Enroll Lake County! office at (847) 377-4999. You can also contact the Get Covered Illinois Help Desk toll free from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week at (866) 311-1119 or visit EnrollLakeCounty.com.