Two Cass County Health System staff members have recently completed training to become Certified Application Counselors (CAC) for the federal health insurance marketplace.

Nancy Templeman (right) and Melissa Namanny are have been trained to assist
individuals with the health insurance marketplace and are now Certified Assistance
Counselors. (Photo submitted)

Melissa Namanny, Accounts Manager at Atlantic Medical Center and Nancy Templeman, Medicare Billing Coordinator at Cass County Memorial Hospital, have both earned the certification. CACs provide assistance to community members as they work through the process of qualifying for and purchasing insurance via the new healthcare insurance marketplace. Services are free and available to all community members.

Steve Lewis, Chief Financial Officer for the Cass County Health System says“We are very pleased to have Melissa and Nancy receive this certification so we can provide this important service to our community. This process can be challenging and confusing, and we want to provide any assistance we can to ensure people can get the insurance coverage they need.”

Melissa and Nancy are able to answer questions about the application process as well as what to do once a person completes the application if they are referred to Medicaid rather than private insurance. They can also direct individuals to local, state and federal resources for additional assistance. While the open enrollment deadline for this year is March 31st, changes insurance status due to things like death, divorce, change in full-time student status, and other personal circumstances may allow individuals to sign up for insurance after open enrollment ends. Melissa and Nancy can help determine application eligibility throughout the year.

If you need assistance or more information about the health insurance marketplace, contact Melissa at Atlantic Medical Center, 712-243-2850, or Nancy at Cass County Memorial Hospital, 712-243-3250.