Meet Our Counselors

Our team of Certified Application Counselors is here to help you get and use health coverage.  We are not insurance agents and do not represent any insurance companies.  Rather, we help you find the best option for you, whether you qualify for Medicaid, Florida KidCare, or a private plan on the federal Health Insurance Marketplace.

Meet with a Counselor
Meet one-on-one with a Counselor or attend one of our free events held throughout Sarasota County.  Contact us for more details.

Gather Your Information
Find out the info and documents you'll need before speaking with a Counselor.

Get Updates
Send us your email address and we will send you updates on health insurance-related information like enrollment deadlines and other tips. (Our Privacy Policy...)

What We Do 

Certified Application Counselors are specially trained to help individuals and families understand and obtain health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Role of Certified Application Counselors:

• Provide education about affordable health insurance options

• Help you determine if you are eligible for cost savings on private plans found on the federal Health Insurance Marketplace

• Guide people who qualify for public plans, like Medicaid and Florida KidCare

• Help you use the online Marketplace, Healthcare.gov.  We'll help you:
      - Set up an online profile
      - Enter your income information to qualify for financial assistance
      - Understand and select health insurance options
      - Apply for and enroll in the affordable health insurance that's right for you

• Help you know how to use your new insurance coverage

• Help you determine if a life event (marriage, having children, changing jobs, etc) qualifies you to change Marketplace plans in a special enrollment period

• Provide information and assistance in an unbiased way

• Safeguard your private health information (read our Privacy Statement)

All at no cost to you.  (Courtesy Community Health Centers of Sarasota County.)

Gather Your Information 

Use this handy checklist to gather the information and documents you'll need before speaking with a Counselor or applying for coverage on HealthCare.gov.

What You'll Need:

• Information about your household and everyone applying for coverage
• Social Security Numbers and documents for legal residents
  (such as Permanent Resident Alien / "Green" Cards, Passports, Parole cards)
• Your best estimate of what your household income will be in 2016
• Information on how you file your taxes and your latest income taxes
• Employer and/or income verification documents, like pay stubs, W-2s, income taxes

You can also use this more extensive Marketplace Application Checklist.