With the Health Insurance Marketplace, a key part of the Affordable Care Act, set to begin on Oct. 1, state Rep. Sara Gideon, D-Freeport, will host a public information session on the program at the Freeport Community Center, Monday, Sept. 30, from 6:30-8 p.m.

According to Gideon, the Health Insurance Marketplace is a competitive market where individuals, families and small businesses can shop for and purchase private health insurance. All plans are required to cover a comprehensive set of benefits, including physician visits, preventive care, hospital stays and prescriptions. Discrimination based on gender or pre-existing conditions is not permitted. Many families and small businesses may qualify for a reduction in their monthly premiums, but only through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

“There has been quite a bit of confusion over what the program does,” said Gideon, a former advertising executive who has served on the Freeport Town Council. “When the Affordable Care Act became law, it promised access to quality, affordable health coverage for millions of American families and small businesses. The Health Insurance Marketplace will give us that access and a new way to shop for health insurance. This informational session is chance for every person to better understand it.”

The Sept. 30 event will also feature representatives from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as well as Maine-based health-care “navigators.” “Navigators” are people who will help translate the fine print of the various insurance options. They have been trained and approved to help consumers understand the options available and will assist those applying for health insurance. State Sen. Stan Gerzofsky, a Democrat whose district includes Freeport, and state Rep. Anne Graham, D-North Yarmouth, will also be in attendance.

According to www.healthcare.gov, health-insurance plans will be offered in four comparable tiers ranging from bronze to platinum, with limited out-of-pocket expenses, strict regulations on breaking contracts, and lifetime and annual limits eliminated.

Open enrollment runs from Oct. 1-March 31.

“The workshop will hopefully address the concerns and questions people have,” said Gideon. ‘It’s an opportunity for the public to hear the facts. I know it can be incredibly intimidating to deal with insurance companies. Access to health care is not a partisan issue and the bottom line is that we want people to know what’s available to them.”

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