Near-end open enrollment event to take place Friday in Merced

With a little more than two weeks left for people to purchase a health plan through the state’s marketplace, local insurance agents are teaming up for a near-end enrollment event.

Merced residents who have not yet signed up for coverage through Covered California and plan to do so before the Feb. 15 deadline can stop by the Merced Senior Community Center, 755 W. 15th St., between 4 and 9 p.m. Friday. According to organizers, seven insurance agents will be available to answer questions and enroll customers.

Alex Hernandez, one of the agents that will present Friday, said the event is being organized as a one-stop shop, which will include tax and immigration specialists. Hernandez said many of the questions he has encountered this enrollment season come from families with mixed immigration status and from people concerned about the tax penalties. He hopes having experts on these subjects on board will encourage people to come out and seek assistance.

Hernandez said organizers are also working on recruiting a Medi-Cal expert for Friday’s event to answer the questions of those with lower incomes who may qualify for the state-federal program.

Taking from last year’s experience, Hernandez expects the next few days to be especially busy as people rush to meet the deadline.

“(Do not) wait until the last minute,” Hernandez said, offering advice to those who continue to go without coverage. Hernandez used the example of previous customers who were missing documentation – and the blunder hindered or delayed their enrollment process.

To ensure a smooth and quick experience, agents ask that people bring with them the following documents: an identification card or driver’s license, a passport or green card, W-2 forms, and 2013 tax forms for reference.

The enrollment event will work on a first-come, first-served basis. The insurance agents, who have been traveling through California organizing similar events, said people should try to get there as early as possible. Hernandez explained the event was scheduled for later hours in hopes of attracting people who are at work during the day.

This story was originally published January 26, 2015 at 6:16 PM with the headline "Near-end open enrollment event to take place Friday in Merced."