MIDDLEBURY — With the March 15 Vermont Health Connect enrollment deadline quickly approaching, navigator agencies in Addison County have been gearing up to ensure residents have ample opportunity to get their health insurance questions answered and to meet one-on-one with a navigator for individual enrollment support.
Over the next month and a half, navigators at the Open Door Clinic in Middlebury and the Blueprint for Health Community Health Team at Porter Hospital will be holding drop-in hours at libraries and other locations throughout Addison County and Brandon. During these drop-in hours, individuals will be given the opportunity to get their health insurance questions answered around eligibility, financial assistance and enrollment deadlines. 
In an effort to increase accessibility to navigators, both the Open Door Clinic and the Blueprint for Health Community Health Team will be offering office hours for one-on-one appointments at locations throughout Addison County and Brandon for the remainder of the enrollment period. In anticipation of an increased need for one-on-one assistance, these organizations will also be increasing their staff time to accommodate as many individuals as possible between now and March 15.
A certified Vermont Health Connect navigator can help you determine your eligibility for financial assistance, explain the various plans offered on Vermont Health Connect, and assist you in enrolling in either a public or a private health insurance plan. If you’re struggling with enrolling on Vermont Health Connect, or if you don’t know where to start, call a navigator today. Their services are free and they’ll work with you to ensure you get the plan that best meets your needs and budget. Navigators’ schedules fill up quickly though, so call today for a February or March appointment.
Addison County navigator organizations include the Blueprint for Health Community Health Team at Porter Hospital (388-5625), the Open Door Clinic (989-6872), the Addison County Chamber of Commerce (388-7951) and the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (388-2285). 
For details on when a Vermont Health Connect navigator will be at a library or event in your area, visit the Vermont Health Connect website at www.VermontHealthConnect.gov.  
Editor’s note: “Health Matters” is a series of community education articles written by members of the Porter Medical Center professional/clinical staff on health topics of general interest to our community.