Islanders who would like help renewing their health insurance coverage or enrolling in a new plan through the state’s health insurance exchange can obtain assistance from county representatives or island volunteers at several sessions in the coming weeks.

The open enrollment period began on Nov. 15 and will continue to Jan. 15, according to Hilary Emmer, who spearheaded the sign-up effort last year and is active with it again this year.

Everyone who enrolled in insurance last year through Washington’s insurance exchange will get a letter letting them know if they need to take any action for continued coverage. Emmer recommends that even if people are told they do not have to do anything, they should review their options this year, particularly because the subsidies to offset the cost of monthly premiums have all changed.

Additionally, she said, there are 86 plans available through the state’s exchange this year, up from about half of that last year. However, most of the island’s providers  accept only a fraction of those offered this year and are mainly accepting the plans they took last year. Emmer has created a chart she will have at the sign-up assistance sessions that will show which island providers take what plans.

Insurance plans are available outside of the state’s exchange as well, but people who wish to enroll in Apple Health, the Medicaid program for people with low incomes, and those that are eligible for subsidies must sign up through the exchange.

If people would prefer to work with an insurance agent, LeeAnn Brown and Vern Vorenkamp are able to sell plans both inside and outside of the exchange, Emmer noted.

King County sign-up dates currently scheduled are 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 4:30 p.m. today, Nov. 19, and Wednesday, Dec. 17. Morning sessions on both dates will be at the Vashon food bank, and afternoon sessions will be at located at the Vashon Library.

To sign up with the assistance of Vashon volunteers, the sessions are 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.  Saturday, Dec. 6, and 10:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 20 and Jan. 15, at the Vashon Library.

Additional sessions may be scheduled at a later date.

For more information, call the state’s Customer Support Center at 800-756-5437, see www.wahealthplanfinder.org or call Emmer at 463-7277.