Uninsured get help enrolling in Health Insurance Marketplace

Inside the Center Street Library in Milwaukee, Liz Smith is focused on getting affordable health care.

"It's about $500 a month," she said.

That's how much she pays now for out-of-state coverage. It's a lot for someone like her, who's unemployed after moving back to Milwaukee.

"Just being able to go to a doctor if I need a check-up is just second nature to me," she said. "So not having insurance would be different."

So Smith came to the library Monday night to get free help enrolling in the health insurance marketplace.

"The marketplace can be very complicated and we're here to assist anybody who needs coverage," said Kimberly Mueller, associate outreach specialist with Covering Wisconsin.

Mueller is licensed to help those uninsured navigate the complicated system.

Under the Affordable Care Act, it is now law for everyone to have health insurance.

"You can get coverage for about $100 with the tax subsidies they can get through the government," Mueller said.

Those who break the law will pay for it. Last year's fine was $395 per person.

"The fine is going up to $695 per person this year,"she said.

Or, 2.5 percent of their income.

Luckily, Smith can avoid that cost. After a short process, she got health care for free.

"Because I don't have a job or income now, and it's dental, vision and health insurance," said Smith. "So I didn't know the great things this could do for me in the short term."

Navigators will be on hand Tuesday, December 15 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at the Forest Home Library, located at 1432 W. Forest Home Ave. in Milwaukee. December 15 is the enrollment deadline for health care coverage to start on January 1, 2016.