The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is in place, having taken effect January 1, 2014.  Those who do not purchase health insurance by March 31, 2014 will be subject to a financial penalty.  The Somerset County Library System (SCLS) continues to host information and enrollment assistance sessions for individuals, families and small business owners at all ten branches through at least March, 2014.

The times, dates, and branch location information is as follows:
• Bound Brook Library
        Thursdays, 3:30 PM – 8:00 PM
• Bridgewater Library
        Tuesdays, 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
        Wednesdays, 3:30 PM – 8:00 PM
        Saturdays, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Hillsborough Library
        Saturdays, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• Manville Library
        Mondays, 3:30 PM – 8:00 PM
• Mary Jacobs Library
        Thursdays, 3:30 PM – 8:00 PM
• Peapack Gladstone Library
        1st Saturday of the month, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
        3rd Wednesday of the month, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
• Somerville Library
        3/11/2014, 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Warren Library
        Monday, 3/3/14 3:30 PM – 8:00 PM
        Tuesday, 3/11/14 4:00 PM – 8:00 pm
        If there is an enrollment extension, Monday, 4/7/14 3:30 PM – 8:00 PM

The enrollment assistance programs are being offered for free to all Somerset County residents.  Partnering with CognoSante, on behalf of the US Department of Health, SCLS is offering this service to help local residents in obtaining the health care insurance coverage and information they may need.

Information that applicants will need to bring in order to complete the enrollment process includes:
• Current healthcare insurance (if applicable) and policy numbers
• Information about health care coverage available through current jobs
• Social security numbers (or documentation for legal immigrants)
• Household income
• Employer and income information verification for every member of household
        requiring coverage (pay stubs or W-2 forms are acceptable)

“We recognized a need for navigating through the ACA process as it is often confusing.  By partnering with CognoSante, we are happy to provide this service,” noted Mun Hwa Chen, head of adult services.

Patrons with further questions can call SCLS at (908)526-4016 extension 105 or visit the website at http://www.sclsnj.org.  The Somerset County Library System has branches in Bridgewater, Bound Brook, Hillsborough, Manville, at the Mary Jacobs Library in Rocky Hill, North Plainfield, Peapack & Gladstone, Somerville, Warren Township and Watchung.