Cottey hosting education and enrollment forum for Affordable Care Act

The deadline to sign up for the new health insurance options made available under the Affordable Care Act (otherwise known as Obamacare) is March 31, or you might have to pay a fine.

Cottey College is hosting two health insurance workshops from 5-9 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25, and Thursday, March 27, with Get Covered America.

Local help will be on hand to help you understand your options and complete your application. The workshops will be held in Room 156 of the Rubie Burton Academic Center.

The workshops are free and open to the public, but space is limited. You are encouraged reserve your place today at: https://www.getcoveredamerica.org/get-covered-america-cottey-college/

Plans that are offered through the new health insurance marketplace are required to cover the basics -- doctor visits, hospital stays, preventive care, prescriptions and more, and you may be able to get help paying for the cost of your new insurance or qualify for low cost options.

Please take the time to attend one of these workshops so you can learn more about the affordable health care options available to you and your family.

Applicants should bring the following to complete the application:

* Address, telephone, and email contact information

* Social Security numbers for each applicant

* 2012 tax return information, W-2 forms or pay stubs for every member of the household who needs coverage

* Immigration documents for legal immigrants

* Student loan information

* Policy numbers and other information about current health coverage for any members of the household

If you are unable to attend a workshop but would like to learn more about your new insurance options, we encourage you to visit getcoveredamerica.org/calculator to see how much financial help you could qualify for, or visit getcoveredamerica.org/locator to make an appointment with local help.

They can answer any questions you may have and walk you through the application process.

The Rubie Burton Academic Center is behind the Blanche Skiff Ross Memorial Library, which is on the southeast corner of Austin Boulevard and College Street in Nevada. Parking is available just east of the building in the lot accessible off of Chestnut Street.