DAYTON, Ohio, Dec. 14, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CareSource reminds consumers to enroll in Marketplace coverage before the December 15 deadline to avoid a gap in coverage in the new year. As Kentucky transitions from using Kynect to using the federally run exchange, all consumers must actively enroll in a plan to have coverage in 2017. Individuals who do not choose a plan by December 15 may not have coverage starting January 1, 2017. Open enrollment for the Marketplace ends January 31, 2017.
A mission-based company with a 27-year history, CareSource continues to respond to the demand in Kentucky for affordable and accessible health care coverage by expanding into 15 additional counties with the company's Marketplace plans. In 2017, CareSource Marketplace will provide plans in 61 of Kentucky's 120 counties.
During open enrollment for 2016 coverage, CareSource Marketplace plans enrolled more than 14,000 members in Kentucky and more than 124,000 members total. For 2017, the health plan is projecting to enroll 50,000 to 75,000 new members, including 18,000 members in Kentucky. The increase in membership is expected as CareSource is offering some of the most affordable plans in the state.
This year, all individuals who have previously enrolled in their plans through Kynect must re-enroll as the state begins using HealthCare.Gov to handle enrollments. Any Kentuckians who previously had coverage through the Marketplace will not be automatically reenrolled in the same plan for 2017. Consumers can visit HealthCare.Gov or CareSource.Com/Marketplace to learn about plans and enroll in coverage.
Expanded Network
CareSource Marketplace continues to expand its network of participating providers. The plans now include health partners in the University of Louisville Physicians, Primary Care Association and King's Daughters networks.
New Plan Options
CareSource will be offering two new plans in 2017 based on feedback the company received from Kentuckians. The two plans, CareSource Simple Choice and CareSource Silver Low Premium, offer simplified benefits at an affordable cost.
The 2017 CareSource Bronze, Silver and Gold plans will include features that consumers have expressed an interest in such as a fitness benefit, low premiums, more health providers and pediatric dental coverage.
"CareSource will be expanding into 15 new counties and will be able to provide quality health coverage to more Kentuckians than ever in 2017," said Michael Taylor, Executive Director, Kentucky Market at CareSource. "This year, it is especially important that consumers take an active role in their health care, as they may lose coverage if they do not re-enroll in a plan. We encourage all shoppers to choose a plan before Dec. 15 to ensure they are covered January 1, 2017."
About CareSource
CareSource is a nonprofit health plan nationally recognized for leading the managed care industry in providing member-centric health care coverage. Founded in 1989, CareSource is one of the nation's largest Medicaid managed care plans. Today, CareSource offers a lifetime of health coverage to more than 1.5 million members across four states including offerings on the Health Insurance Marketplace and Medicare Advantage plans.
Headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, CareSource has a workforce of 3,100 employees located across the country. CareSource is living its mission to make a lasting difference in its members' lives by improving their health and well-being. CareSource understands the challenges consumers face navigating the health system and works to put health care in reach for those it serves.
For more, visit caresource.com, follow @caresource on Twitter, or like CareSource on Facebook.