Free enrollment help for health insurance

In-person help Saturday, December 13 at Regency Square Mall

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – If you are enrolling for insurance under the Affordable Care Act, or you want to get your kids signed up for health insurance through Florida's KidCare, you can get free help this weekend.

Enrollment for coverage under the Affordable Care Act is open through February 15, 2015, but if you want your insurance to start at the beginning of 2015, you must enroll by Monday, December 15.  Here are the important dates to know:

  • If you sign up by December 15, you will have coverage starting January 1.
  • If you sign up after December 15, you will get coverage starting February 1.
  • If you sign up on the last day, which again is February 25, your coverage will start March 1.


Experts want everyone to understand the dates because if you don't have health insurance, you face a penalty, but as long as your coverage starts by March 1, you are meeting the federal mandate.

You can sign up at Healthcare.gov.  If you need help getting enrolled, Jacksonville Gets Covered is holding a free event this Saturday, December 13 at Regency Square Mall.  You can talk in-person with enrollment counselors from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.  Walk-ins are welcome but you can make an appointment or get more information by calling:

  • Sumayya Harris (904) 477-2934
  • Jenna Jennings (904) 349-2321


Here's what you need to bring with you:

  • Home and/or mailing addresses for everyone applying for coverage
  • Social Security numbers for adults and children applying for coverage
  • Employer and income information for every member of the household (for example, pay stubs, W-2 forms or Wage & Tax Statements).
  • Best estimate of what their household income will be in 2015.
  • Policy numbers for any current health insurance plans covering members of the household.
  • Notices from current plans that include their plan ID, if they have or had health coverage in 2014.

  • You can also get free help this Saturday to get your children enrolled for insurance. It's separate insurance through the State of Florida's Healthy Kids (KidCare) program. It's important to note there is no deadline to sign your child up for this insurance.

    With KidCare, every child, birth thought 18 years old is eligible, thus, no children has to be left uncovered.  It's 12-months of continuous low-cost or free children's health care coverage. 

    Typically, parents would pay between $15-20 per month for all children for coverage, depending on family size and income level. Plus, some families will qualify for the Full Pay option. There are no deductible and minimal co-pays.

    If you need help enrolling your child, you need to bring the following:

  • Your family's most recent tax return (Form 1040) or your wage and earning statement (W-2 Form) or current pay stubs (covering the last 4 weeks)
  • Your children's Social Security numbers or the date applied for if you have not received a Social Security card.
  • Proof of Citizenship and Identity

  • For more information about the KidCare program, call 211 or go to CoverJax211.com.