Freeman Ready to Help with New ACA Marketplace Open Enrollment

Joplin, MO – Freeman Health System has staff ready to assist four-state residents with open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act Marketplace plans. The federal government is offering an additional open enrollment period which will run from February 15 through May 15 and is prompted by the COVID-19 national emergency.

“The opportunity for this additional open enrollment is unprecedented,” said Karri Foster, Freeman Admissions Supervisor. “Not only have we never seen an additional open enrollment in the last 10 years of ACA, but we have also never had a window of 90 days to enroll people in the Marketplace plans.”

Freeman is committed to helping people understand their healthcare payment options and those assistance programs that are available to them. Freeman Eligibility Partners includes a Missouri Medicaid certified and state-licensed team of ACA Navigators who can help people with marketplace applications, Social Security applications and Freeman financial assistance.

“Freeman Eligibility Partners team members are certified navigators and they are available to assist anyone in the community with Marketplace applications and questions, no matter their choice of hospital,” said Foster. “People have lost jobs or have experienced more visits to doctors while battling COVID-19 and its long-term effects. We are here to help make sure they find health coverage that is available.”

Residents can take advantage of these free services offered by Freeman Eligibility Partners by calling 417.347.8888 or emailing  freemaneligibilitypartners@freemanhealth.com

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About Freeman Health System

Locally owned, not-for-profit and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital and Ozark Center – the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services – as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics and a variety of specialty services. In 2020, Freeman earned dozens of individual awards for medical excellence and patient safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers. U.S. News & World Report named Freeman Health System the Best Hospital in Southwest Missouri for 2020-2021. With more than 320 physicians on staff representing more than 80 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services and women’s services. Additionally, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com.