Affordable healthcare information fair

The City of Charleston and the City of North Charleston are jointly hosting an Affordable Healthcare Information Fair at the Charleston Area Convention Center (5000 Coliseum Drive, North Charleston) on Sunday, December 8, 2013, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 

The Fair will offer residents of the Charleston region an opportunity to meet with Certified Agents, Navigators and Application Counselors to ask questions and receive information about the four ways to enroll in health insurance through the Marketplace. No appointments are needed. There will be an informational presentation every 30 minutes starting at 11:00 a.m. For more information about the event call the Palmetto Project at 1-888-998-4646.

North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey said, "Consider this event a one-stop-shop with resources and counselors comprehensively assembled to address any need or question. We hope to eliminate confusion surrounding the Affordable Care Act."

City of Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. added, "Having health insurance protects families from the potential of crippling financial debt caused by expensive medical bills. Charleston and North Charleston have organized this event as an opportunity for our residents to learn more about the Healthcare Marketplace."

The Marketplace is for uninsured people to find health coverage.
Those with job-based health insurance can keep it.
Those with Medicare are already covered and don’t need to make any changes.
Those who are enrolled in Medicaid are not eligible.

To be eligible for the Marketplace in South Carolina, one must have an income between 100-400% of the federal poverty guideline:

Persons in family/household	Eligible Income to use Marketplace
1	$11,490 – 45,960
2	15,510 – 62,040
3	19,530 – 78,120
4	23,550 – 94,200
5	27,570 – 110,280
6	31,590 – 126,360
7	35,610 – 142,440
8	39,630 – 158,520

Most people must have health coverage in 2014 or pay a fee. Those who do not have coverage in 2014, will have to pay a penalty of $95 per adult, $47.50 per child, or 1% of their income (whichever is higher). The fee increases every year. Some people may qualify for an exemption from this fee.

Individuals are considered covered if they have Medicare, Medicaid, any job-based plan, any plan they bought themselves, retiree coverage, TRICARE, VA health coverage, or some other kinds of health coverage.

Insurance plans in the Marketplace are offered by private companies, and they cover the same core set of essential health benefits, including doctor visits, preventive care, hospitalization, prescriptions, and more. Plans can be compared based on price, benefits, quality, and other important features before choosing a plan.

There will also be new protections. Health insurance companies cannot deny coverage or charge more due to pre-existing health conditions, and they can’t charge women and men different premiums.

Marketplace open enrollment ends March 31, 2014. If enrolled by December 15, 2013, coverage can begin as soon as January 1, 2014.

Explore the Marketplace now
Visit www.HealthCare.gov now to get answers to questions and sign up for e-mail or text updates about the Marketplace. Or, call the Health Insurance Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596. TTY users should call 1-855-889-4325.

Bill Stanfield named North Charleston Citizen of the Year

After numerous nominations received, the North Charleston Citizen Advisory Council has selected Bill Stanfield as the 2011 North Charleston Citizen of the Year.  Each year, North Charleston residents are nominated to identify, honor, and reinforce the activities of exceptional citizens whose service or performance positively contributes to the quality of life in North Charleston.

It is necessary for Citizen of the Year recipients to possess and demonstrate a generous community spirit, prove their commitment, and display a consistent effort of positively impacting the community, thereby raising the standards of social responsibility.

Bill Stanfield resides in the Chicora-Cherokee community with his wife Evelyn and two sons.  He is an associate minister at St. Matthew Baptist Church and the cofounder of the Metanoia Community Development Corporation.

Mr. Stanfield’s work with Metanoia has been instrumental in implementing many programs leading to direct advancements of our communities, including student leadership programs, housing development for depressed neighborhoods, minority contractor training, and a production kitchen for culinary arts job training.  In addition, Metanoia is currently renovating two buildings on Reynolds Avenue in an effort to spark commercial revitalization.

North Charleston Mayor R. Keith Summey stated, “I met Bill years ago through his work in the community, where he remains a source of encouragement for the Chicora-Cherokee area.”  He continued, “It is wonderful to have leaders, like Bill, working in concert to improve the quality of life in the southern end of the City.  I cannot think of a more deserving individual to receive this honor.”