EDISON — The holidays had shops bustling with activity in recent weeks, but the long lines weren’t only for buying gifts. Many local residents were lining up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act.
A new Enrollment Assistance Center in Edison experienced high traffic in its first weeks of operation after opening on Dec. 3. Insurance for those who enrolled by the federal government’s Dec. 24 deadline became effective Jan. 1.
The walk-in center, located at 1719 Route 27, is one of two that recently opened in New Jersey; the other is in Wayne. Both are run by SRA, a Virginia-based firm contracted by the government to operate assistance centers in the 36 states where health care is being sold in a federally facilitated marketplace, as opposed to being organized at the state level. New Jersey, Florida and Texas are among the states where SRA currently operates.
Anthony Borges, supervisor of the Edison center, said many of the facility’s first clients have been 25- to 40-year-old professionals and their families.
Noting Edison’s unique demographics, the center has in-house translators of Spanish, Hindi, Gujarati, Punjabi and Urdu. In addition, a telephone hotline offers translation services for more than 150 other languages.
Borges said there is an extant misconception that the Affordable Care Act provides “one blanket plan” for all users, but in reality, New Jersey residents can access dozens of customized plans through the online hub at www.healthcare.gov. Some features extended by different plans include cost sharing of copayments, premium credits and Medicaid subsidies.
Those who enroll by the 15th of any month are eligible for coverage on the first day of the following month, and are locked in for a year of coverage. The initial enrollment period under Obamacare ends March 31. In future years, it will take place from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7.
The Edison center, which currently employs 19 people, is open seven days a week — on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments and walk-ins are welcome.
Employees said people have been finding out about the new assistance center through word-of-mouth over the past three weeks, but the facility has also conducted an open house, held outreach events at local places of worship, and are organizing an information session at the Edison Public Library.
For more information on the center or to make an appointment, call 732-484-9710.