TOPEKA — In an effort to help Kansans who are struggling to find health insurance coverage information on the federal marketplace website, the Kansas Insurance Department’s www.insureKS.org website has new features about Kansas plans, prices and assistance.
“Kansans going to the site can now get a close estimate on what plans, tax credits and rates they can qualify for on the federal marketplace,” said Sandy Praeger, commissioner of insurance, “and they don’t have to log on to the government site or type in any identifiable information.”
In addition to showing health plans and prices available in any Kansas county, the insureKS.org site has a feature allowing users to locate marketplace-certified agents and non-profit organization navigators throughout the state.
“We hope the new features will give consumers a head start on the enrollment process once they can get through on the healthcare.gov site,” Commissioner Praeger said.
Kansas is one of 36 states that has a federally-operated marketplace. The marketplace began Oct. 1, but computer problems have prevented most people from completing the enrollment process through the federal site.
The new department website went live on Sept. 1. The information there is distinct from the department’s regular website, www.ksinsurance.org.
The site, insureKS.org, features educational information for Kansans who may be interested in accessing health insurance coverage through either the online Health Insurance Marketplace or in the regular insurance market outside of the marketplace. The Health Insurance Marketplace is an Internet portal that will allow people to sign up for health insurance as part of the new federal health reform law and to determine whether they may be eligible for financial assistance to pay for health insurance.
Also included on the insureKS.org website are the following:
• An interactive program nicknamed “Alex” that helps a viewer learn about the 2014 health insurance changes and how they might affect their insurance situation.
• A premium estimator that will calculate premium costs and possible tax credits for individuals and families, based on the information they provide.
• Brochures and FAQs that explain provisions of the health insurance law that go into effect Jan. 1, 2014.
• A link to the federal Health Insurance Marketplace.
• A list of external resources.
• Information about Kansas Navigator programs, insurance agents, and other assisters that are offering personal help with understanding the law’s provisions.
The site links to short videos of Sandy Praeger, commissioner of insurance, who explains portions of the law that may affect Kansans.
Social media users can also find links to the insureKS.org Facebook, Twitter and YouTube channel at the website. A link to the new department “Health Insurance in Kansas” booklet will also be there.
 “I think that Kansans who go online to the new site will find many answers to the questions that have been raised about the new health insurance provisions,” Praeger said. “We have tried to provide information and education pieces that will give them a chance to get the facts for themselves.”
Consumers can also stay up-to-date with health insurance information at www.facebook.com/insureks or by following InsureKS on Twitter.