The project described was supported by Funding Opportunity number CA - NAV - 19 - 001 from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The contents provided are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of HHS or any of its agencies. Your guide to affordable health care 1.855.733.3711 TOLL - FREE · NCNAVIGATOR.NET For Immediate Release Marking the Affordable Care Act's 10th anniversary; Providing free help to those losing health coverage due to the Coronavirus ( COVID - 19 ) NC Navigators are here to help ! North Carolinians can call 1 - 855 - 733 - 3711 (toll - free) or visit ncnavigator.net t o schedule a free over - the - phone appointment RALEIGH · March 2 6 , 2020 — March 23 marked the 10 th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act ’s passage into law. Over the last ten years, th e law has provided comprehensive, affordable health coverage for hundreds of thousands of North Car olinians North Carolinians who have lost their coverage due t o the Coronavirus pandemic are eligible to enroll in coverage on HealthCare.gov, the health insurance marketplace established by the Affordable Care Act. This special enrollment period is available for a period of 60 days from the consumer’s initial loss of coverage A ny Marketplace coverage will cover the consumer through the r emainder of 2020 unless they enroll in other coverage. Those who have questions or need help enrolling in Marketplace coverage can call 1 - 855 - 733 - 3711 (toll - free) or visit ncnavigator.net to schedule a free, over - the - phone appointment with an NC Naviga tor. "For 10 years, the Affordable Care Act has provided so many North Carolinians with the peace of mind that comes with health coverage, " Mark Van Arnam, director of the NC Navigator Consortium, said. "As navigators, we are proud to have played a part in this effort and hope we can continue enrolling North Carolinians in affordable coverage for decades to come." "This anniversary comes at a poignant time for the Affordable Care Act, as untold numbers of North Carolinians stand to lose their private health coverage due to the Coronavirus. We want to make it eas y for folks who have lost coverage due to this pandemic to get covered. Call us or visit our we bsite to FAST FACTS Act fast! Time is limited! Residents only have 60 days from the date they lost coverage to enroll in a plan Call or c lick for assistance ! T oll - free: 1 - 855 - 733 - 3711 O nline: ncnavigator.net Coronavirus is covered! Testing and t reatment for Coronavirus is covered in all Health Insurance Marketplace plans! Financial a ssistance is a vailable! Nine in 10 North Carolinian s enrolled in a HealthCare.gov plan receive financial assistance. Navigators can help consumers determine eligibility for financial assistance. The project described was supported by Funding Opportunity number CA - NAV - 19 - 001 from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The contents provided are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of HHS or any of its agencies. book an over - the - phone appointment, or just to find additional Coronavirus resourc es . We are here to help. Tim e is limited for those affected to enroll, so it is important that folks act quickly ,” Van Arnam said. Consumers can call 855 - 733 - 3711 or visit ncnavigator.net to schedule a free, confidential, one - on - one phone appointment with an NC Navigator. NC Navigators are trained to help consumers enroll in coverage on HealthCare.gov. They can help con sumers understand the details of the different plans , complete the enrollment process and determine their eligibility for financial assistance. Last year, nine in 10 North Carolinians who enrolled in coverage on HealthCare.gov received financial assistance , with the average premium being $68.10 In addition to residents who have lost coverage due to the Coronavirus , North Carolinians can still enroll in 20 20 coverage on HealthCare.gov if they experience certain other life changes, like getting married or divorced, having a baby or adopting a child, moving, o r losing health coverage. Learn more at: https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage - outside - open - enrollment/special - enrollment - period/ NC Navigators are avail able throughout the year and can help consumers determine if they qualify for any Special Enrollment Period. # # # Media Contacts Mark Van Arnam, Director, NC Na vigator Consortium, (704) 785 - 0839 , MarkV@legalaidn c.org About The NC Navigator Consortium is a group of six health care, social service and legal aid organizations that helps North Carolina consumers enroll in affordable, comprehensive health insurance plans on HealthCare.gov , the Health Insurance Marketplace established by the Affordable Care Act. Members of the consortium are Access East , Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy , Council on Aging of Buncombe County , Cumberland HealthNet , HealthNet Gaston , and Legal Aid of North Carolina , which leads the consortium. The consortium is funded in part by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, t he Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust and Cone Health Foundation . Learn more at ncnavigator.net Legal Aid of North Carolina is a statewide nonprofit law firm that provides free civil legal help to low - in come and vulnerable North Carolinians. Learn more at legalaidnc.org or follow us on Facebook , Twitter and YouTube