SUPERIOR – As the deadline for enrolling under the Affordable Care Act approaches, people have begun a mad rush to set up insurance plans before the deadline.

On March 31, people will need to be enrolled in healthcare, whether through an employer or with a personal insurance policy. If a person has not enrolled by the deadline, or gained an exemption, they will be charged a $95 fine per adult and a $47.50 fine per child.

According to Kristi Scott, outreach and enrollment specialist at Mineral Regional Health Center, the online marketplace has become swamped with last minute applicants. As a result, the service is unpredictable and might be slow. Scott recommended people get started with the process as soon as they could.

“We’re having to be a little more persistent and patient,” Scott said. “Really, it’s about being proactive right now and not putting it off any longer than they have to.”

She continued by saying the closer it gets to the deadline, the busier the system will become. According to Scott, the system is already so busy it occasionally shuts down because the servers become overloaded with traffic. Even with the difficulties, she is confident she can get people enrolled without too many problems.

At various times over the last several months, Scott has held events where people can get information about coverage options and set up appointments to talk with her in person. On Friday, March 21, she went out to the county’s west end with Monte Turner to do a final sweep to see if anyone still needed help.

As Certified Application Counselors, they can give advice about different coverage programs available through the Marketplace and help a person enroll in a plan. They also went to Plains on Saturday, March 22, to help Clark Fork Valley Hospital with some of their enrollment appointments.

Scott said the Plains area has not had the same outreach and enrollment services as Mineral County.

There are certain exemptions where a person can enroll at a later date. According to Scott, these are generally for life changing events like getting married, moving to a new location or losing a job with insurance benefits. If a person is approved for an exemption, they will have more time to enroll before being fined.

People can also become exempt if they have recently been incarcerated, meet a certain poverty status, have membership in a religious sect who do not believe in modern medicine or have shared ministry insurance.

Scott estimated she has helped approximately 135 people in the county set up plans with good rates.

“I’m just urging people to get a hold of me and book an appointment,” Scott said. “Really, people need to be proactive right now and reach out.”

She is also able to help with applications for Healthy Montana Kids, the Medicaid program for youths, for families who qualify. This program is not bound by the March 31 deadline and is available at any time.

To set up an appointment to enroll contact Scott at 822-7134. She encourages people to leave a message if she cannot answer right away so she can get back to them as soon as she can.

“Push has come to shove,” Scott said. “So now, people who have procrastinated are trying to get in right now…It’s important if people are riding the fence that they get in here and get it figured out.”