As time winds down on the deadline for Americans to choose a healthcare plan, the Greene County ISU Extension and Outreach office is offering help for those who need to choose a plan.

Coordinator Michael Cooley says a workshop will be held at the extension office on Thursday, January 23rd to help those individuals make smart choices on a type of health insurance plan whether it be through the federal government or through an employer.  He states the workshop will be from 6-8pm and the facilitator is Ruth Freeman, human sciences and family finance specialist for ISU Extension.

He talks about what Freeman will be covering in the first part of the session.

“The first hour and a half she’s going to go over a lot more about thinking about your health insurance needs.  What you need, what level of coverage do you need (and) help you (to) understand the in’s-and out’s and all the terminology of health insurance that goes along with it.”

From there, you will also learn how to calculate the cost of health insurance plans, understand which health care provider participates in various plans, qualifications for tax credits or cost sharing assistance, using a guide to identify your own health insurance needs and priorities and purchasing coverage from healthcare.gov.

Cooley explains what cost sharing is.

“Actually enroll in what they call a cost sharing assistance where you will get that credit up front in a co-monthly pay from the federal government if you qualify for the tax credit will help to reduce your monthly pay for health insurance.”

He points out that the workshop is free and open to the public but pre-registration is requested for ensure a seat.  For more information or to sign up, call the extension office in Jefferson at 386-2138.