Health insurance open enrollment ends Dec. 15.

Here’s what you need to know.

excerpts…but if you are affected by this please click through and read the whole article!

First, individuals with incomes between 100 percent and 400 percent of the federal poverty threshold in Wisconsin are eligible for federal subsidies to help offset the cost of health insurance. That works out to $12,140 to $48,560 in income for an individual and $25,100 to $100,400 for a family of four.

The subsidies vary based on income. To receive them, you have to buy a health plan through healthcare.gov.

Second, you can shop for a health plan on healthcare.gov. The site is easy to follow. If nothing else, healthcare.gov will give you an idea of the health plans available in your county and the cost.

Third,you must keep two things in mind:

What matters is the cost after taking into the account the federal subsidy, if you are eligible for one, not the premium.
If your income is below 250 percent of the federal poverty threshold — $30,350 for one person and $62,750 for a family of four — you are eligible for additional subsidies to offset deductibles and other out-of-pocket expenses. But you must buy a health plan in the silver tier to receive the additional subsidy. This is important. Some people who are eligible for the additional subsidy opt for plans in the bronze tier because premiums are lower and end up paying more than they should.

Fourth, the health plans typically have different networks of hospitals and physicians and different prescription drug coverages.

but most importantly:

Here are places to get help and other information:

The federal government’s toll-free 24-hour hotline at (800) 318-2596 (TTY: (855) 889-4325).
To find in-person help, go to the Find Local Help tool on healthcare.gov. You also can find information on agents and brokers in your area at the site.
Covering Wisconsin has information on its website including on where to get help.

Nuff said.