By Melissa PatrickKentucky Health News Year two of the state’s Our Healthy Kentucky Home campaign will focus on the various programs and resources available to all Kentuckians that work to improve health. November kicked off the second year of the campaign, with a focus on community health worker s, who act as liaisons between health care providers and patients, improving communication, facilitating access to services and educating individuals on health-related issues. This month, the campaign highlights Kynect, the state’s one-stop website that helps Kentuckians connect with essential support services, including the state-based marketplace for federally subsidized health insurance. Kentucky’s health secretary, Dr. Steven Stack, reminded Kentuckians that open enrollment for federally subsidized health insurance plans on Kynect runs through Jan. 15. During this time, consumers can purchase a new plan or change plans for coverage year 2026. Kentucky residents who don’t have coverage through an employer, Medicare, Medicaid, the Kentucky Children’s Health Insurance Program, or the Pentagon’s Tricare program can shop for individual coverage on Kynect. To qualify for coverage beginning Jan. 1, Kentuckians need to sign up for their health plan by Dec. 15. Coverage for Kentuckians who enroll from Dec. 16 through Jan. 15 will start Feb. 1. To sign up for coverage, Kentuckians can visit kynect.ky.gov or call 855-459-6328. The website also offers a prescreening tool to see if your family may be eligible for benefits. Stack also encouraged Kentuckians to reach out to a “kynector” for help choosing a health plan that best suits their needs. “These are trained professionals who provide free and unbiased guidance to help you enroll in health coverage and benefits, such as Medicaid, Kentucky Children’s Health Insurance Plan, qualified health plans and nutrition or child care assistance programs,” he said. “Licensed insurance agents can also assist at no cost to you in choosing a good plan for you. “Whether you’re looking for an individual plan, family coverage or help paying your premiums, now is the time to act and let Kynect help link you to trusted options.” Information about kynectors and licensed insurance agents can be found under the “Get Local Help” tab at the top of the Kynect website page. Stack said 90,000 Kentuckians got insurance last year during the open enrollment period and so far this year, that number is just over 80,000. “So we’ve got just under six weeks to close that gap and try to make sure that even more Kentuckians this year get coverage through the open enrollment period than last,” he said. At a Nov. 18 ThriveKY meeting, David Verry, assistant director with the state’s Division of Health Plan Oversight, said that despite the loss of the enhanced tax credits that are set to expire on Dec. 31 if Congress doesn’t act to extend them, Kynect is “open for business” and that the process to enroll is the same as it has been before. In addition to being able to apply for health insurance, including Medicaid and qualified health plans, Kynect is where Kentuckians sign up for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, apply for childcare assistance through the Child Care Assistance Program, get energy and heating help through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, and find mental health, employment, housing and transportation resources through the community resource portal. And with a nod to the first year of the Our Healthy Kentucky Home campaign, Stack said the state will continue its efforts to promote simple, attainable lifestyle changes and goals to help Kentuckians achieve better health and wellness, such as eating at least two servings or fruits and vegetables every day, exercising at least 30 minutes three times per week, and remaining socially engaged to stay socially connected. The post December’s Our Healthy Kentucky Home campaign focuses on Kynect; open enrollment for federally subsidized health insurance ends Jan. 15 appeared first on The Lexington Times. ...read more read less