South Heartland District Health Department

CACs can help with health insurance applications

November 06, 2026

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It’s November! Open Enrollment Period is underway, which means now is the time to get signed up for health coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace, Medicaid, or Children’s Health Insurance (CHIP).

The open enrollment period for ACA Marketplace (HealthCare.gov) runs November 1 through January 15 each year, with December 15 being the last day to enroll for coverage that starts January 1, and January 15 being the final day of enrollment for coverage starting February 1. The enrollment period is a time to enroll in, renew, or change health plans in the Marketplace.

For Nebraska Medicaid (Heritage Health managed care plan), there is no specific enrollment period for new members, so individuals who meet the income and eligibility requirements may apply for Nebraska Medicaid at any time through ACCESSNebraska. The managed care plans include Molina, Nebraska Total Care, and United Healthcare. If you are already enrolled in Medicaid and want to switch your managed care plan, the annual window for changes is November 1 through December 15.  

Health coverage can be difficult to understand and is confusing for most of us. Fortunately, there is assistance available! Certified Application Counselors (CACs, for short) are trained to provide free, unbiased assistance to help people understand and enroll in health coverage options through Medicaid, CHIP, and the ACA Marketplace.

CACs will help explain health insurance terms, like “deductibles”, “premiums”, and “subsidies”. They can help you compare Marketplace plans, help you understand eligibility, assist you in completing applications, and provide guidance on financial help like tax credits and cost-sharing reductions.

CACs can help you determine eligibility for Medicaid and CHIP, assist with applications, support you with submitting required documents, and provide guidance for families, children, pregnant people, and adults. CACs can also refer you to other health insurance support resources to help meet your specific health coverage needs.

CACs will help anyone. They provide confidential services without discrimination based on race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or religion. They assure availability of language assistance and accommodations for disabilities.

It’s important to know that CACs offer free services. They are trained to provide unbiased, neutral guidance and cannot provide specific plan recommendations or earn commissions.

So, where do I find a CAC to help me?

CACs are affiliated with organizations that are approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). CACs can be found at hospitals (like Mary Lanning Healthcare and Brodstone Healthcare), non-profit and social service agencies (like Midlands Area Agency on Aging), federally-qualified community health centers (like Heartland Health Center-Hastings) and public health departments (like South Heartland District Health Department). CACs can also be found out in the community, at enrollment events, health fairs, and even local “office hours” in rural communities.

For more information, or for help in locating a CAC nearest to you in Adams, Clay, Nuckolls or Webster Counties, contact South Heartland District Health Department 402-462-6211 and ask for Samantha Coutts, Certified Application Counselor.

Michele Bever is the executive director for South Heartland District Health Department, serving Adams, Clay, Nuckolls and Webster counties in south central Nebraska. She may be reached at 1-877-238-7595.

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