The following was submitted by the Orcas Affordable Care Collaborative.

Washington state has been proactive in its efforts to be ready for Medicaid expansion (the state medicaid program is expanding to cover adults who meet income criteria) and enrollment for insurance coverage through the Washington State Exchange. The first open enrollment lasts six months beginning Oct. 1, 2013 and running until March 31, 2014.

Approved coverage begins Jan. 1, 2014. The application will be available at the Washington Health Benefit Exchange website, www.wahbexchange.org, beginning Oct. 1, 2013. The website is up and running now and has a calculator feature to help estimate cost and tax credits as well as provide answers to questions. The intent of the Affordable Care Act is to increase access to health care and improve quality and affordability.

On Sept. 3, a Customer Support Call Center opened the phone lines to answer questions about the enrollment process, health coverage options, and financial help. Representatives are available now to help in 175 languages, weekdays from 7:30 a.m. until 8 p.m., toll free at 855-923-4633.

In order to help the Orcas community navigate the website and complete the application, representatives from Orcas Family Connections, Orcas Island Community Foundation, Orcas Library, Orcas Island School District, Orcas Medical Center, Orcas Family Health Center, and San Juan County Health and Community Services are working on a collaborative effort called the Orcas Affordable Care Collaborative to create access points where application assistance and computers will be available.

There will be several Orcas individuals trained to assist those who need help with the applications. Aaimee Johnson and Dixie Morrison from Orcas Family Health Center will be trained as “Certified Application Counselors.” At least four people will be trained by the state to help in person: Erin O’Dell and Kalie McGinnis from Orcas Family Connections, Michael Moss and Pegi Groundwater from Orcas Medical Center and Orcas broker David Ecklund. More volunteers will be trained later in the fall. To volunteer, call Orcas Family Connections at 376-3184.