Who is counting on you to stay healthy this Valentine’s Day?

Whether your best friend, pet, or significant other is your Valentine this year, being covered is a better gift than a dozen roses, and in some cases, cheaper too.

Since open enrollment for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act ends on Feb. 15, now is the time to reach out to a local assister if you have questions, are confused, or want to verify your re-enrollment information. With one year under our belt, a working website and 9-out-of-10 Mainers able to get financial assistance toward their premium — it is easier than ever to sign up or re-enroll in health insurance on healthcare.gov.

In the first month of open enrollment alone, more than 34,000 Mainers signed up or re-enrolled in health insurance through the Marketplace. Some signed up by themselves, but others received help from navigators or certified application counselors in their community.

Not familiar with those terms? Let us help.

Navigators are one type of certified “assister” who can help you with your health coverage situation. They are experts in the Affordable Care Act, trained and certified to help consumers in applying for health coverage. You can find navigators at community action agencies in all 16 counties in Maine or at the Maine Lobstermen’s Association.

Those nonprofit organizations received grants from the Marketplace to provide free assistance to anyone who needs it.

Last year, navigators helped more than 3,000 Mainers get connected to quality, affordable health coverage through the Marketplace.

Just like navigators, certified application counselors are also available to help answer questions. They can be found in Community Health Centers (www.mainehealthcenters.com), community agencies, and hospitals. CACs serve anyone who needs assistance — you don’t have to be a patient of the health center or hospital to receive enrollment help.

Both navigators and CACs are tasked with providing assistance that is free, confidential and impartial.

CACs at your local community health center are also able to help you learn how to use your new insurance. Research conducted by Enroll America showed that people who got help last year from an in-person assister (like a navigator or CAC) were twice as likely to successfully enroll compared to people who applied without help. It won’t cost you anything to get one of these experts on your side this year.

Curious as to where you can find your closest assister? It’s as simple as going to Enroll207.com, clicking on “Find Help” and typing in your zip code. You will see a list of assisters of all types who are in your community and who are available with the same goal in mind: connecting you to the best health insurance coverage for your needs, at an affordable price, to keep you healthy.

So this year, ditch the candy hearts and connect with a local assister by Feb. 15. Your valentine will be glad you did.

Jeb Murphy is director of communication and data coordination at the Maine Primary Care Association, Caroline Zimmerman is director of health initiatives at the Maine Primary Care Association, and Jake Grindle is the Health Navigator Program coordinator at Western Maine Community Action.

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