healthcare$Jamestown  (CSi/JRMC) Jamestown Regional Medical Center, asks:  “Coverage conundrums got you confused?”  To know your insurance rights, attend the JRMC U Forum regarding health insurance. The event is set for 11:15 a.m., Thursday, November 10, 2016.

The health insurance market is complex and can be confusing. Jamestown Regional Medical Center wants to help residents better understand their policies. Prior to or after a hospital visit, families sometimes face unexpected financial bills.

The session includes a short presentation from Alison Kennison, JRMC’s patient financial services manager. Kennison and her patient access team can help residents understand their current plans. The patient access team also helps residents understand what other resources might be available to help cover the cost of care.

She says, “The goal is to help individuals understand their insurance policy before they face unexpected expenses. We want to help before tragedy strikes a person or family.”

If residents want to make a change to their coverage, they have until their enrollment deadline to make changes. Enrollment dates vary, but for most plans, the deadline is around Thanksgiving.

Kennison says she and her team have experienced tough conversations with people who’ve gotten sick or injured and then are unprepared.

She adds, “These conversations are heartbreaking. Residents purchased insurance and think they’re covered. But they don’t realize that in many cases, they have to pay a deductible before the insurance kicks in. Deductibles can vary from $250 to $10,000. That’s a lot of money, especially when you or a loved one is sick.”

After the presentation, Kennison and other community insurance professionals will be on hand to answer questions in a private, case-by-case setting. The event begins at 11:15 a.m. at the Legacy Center, 419 5th St NE (the old Jamestown Hospital). It is free and open to the public. For more information, call Kennison at 952-4556.

About Jamestown Regional Medical Center

Jamestown Regional Medical Center is located at 2422 20th St. SW, Jamestown, ND and serves approximately 55,000 people in nine counties. For more information on services at JRMC, visit www.jrmcnd.com or call 701-952-1050.