Get Help Navigating the Affordable Care Act

The following was provided to Patch:

State Rep. Cherelle L. Parker, D-Phila., will have an Affordable Care Act health-insurance navigator on-site at her district office every Tuesday beginning Dec. 10.

An approved ACA navigator from Resources for Human Development will be at Parker's office located at 1536 Wadsworth Ave. in Philadelphia from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. every Tuesday beginning Dec. 10. The trained specialist can help residents learn more about the Health Insurance Marketplace and complete enrollment in the Marketplace on-site.

Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are accepted. Residents can schedule an appointment by calling Parker's constituent service office at 215-242-7300. Applicants should bring the following information as it applies:

• Social Security number and date of birth for each member in the household;

• Immigration paperwork if there is no Social Security number; and

• Federal Income Tax forms including all W2s and/or 1099s from the 2012 tax year (or from previous years that most accurately reflect the applicant’s household income).

If the applicant has not filed his or her income taxes, navigators can use W-2s and 1099s to complete the income questions on the application. If the above items are unavailable to the applicant, an estimation of household income from all sources will be accepted. If a consumer or a documented household member has additional insurance coverage, he or she should also bring the name of the insurance company and the policy number.  

Parker recently held an information session for residents and business owners interested in learning more about the landmark federal health-care reform law.  “Our meeting revealed the need for constituents to have greater access to navigators who can assist them in the application process,” Parker said.

"Enrollment in the Marketplace runs through March 31, but coverage can begin as soon as Jan. 1 if you sign up by Monday, December 23rd,” she said. "I encourage all residents without health insurance and businesses in need of information on the SHOP Marketplace to schedule an appointment with my office.”

Additional information is available by contacting Kyasha Tyson in Parker's constituent service office at 215-242-7300.