Mega Church Hosts "Souls To Enroll" Event Before ACA Deadline

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Time is running out for people who need to sign up for insurance to meet the Affordable Care Act deadline.

Those still considering their options have until midnight on Monday.

In an effort to help people get covered through the health insurance Marketplace, the New Birth Baptist Church at 2300 NW 135th Street will host a "Souls to Enroll" event on Sunday.

Organizers say six in ten Americans who don't have insurance, and who are eligible for financial assistance, can get coverage for $100 per month or less.

Staff and volunteers equipped with laptops, smartphones, and iPads will use the Get Covered Calculator to show consumers how much their plans may cost. By simply putting in a few details about income and family, the calculator will be able to tell them how much they could pay for a marketplace plan in a matter of minutes.

Trained representatives will be on-site to assist in the application and enrollment process and help consumers find out if they qualify for financial assistance.

All plans offered through the Health Insurance Marketplace cover the important benefits, including doctor visits, hospitalizations, emergency room visits, prescriptions and more.

Anyone wishing to enroll should bring their email address, social security number, proof of legal residency (driver's license, state ID, residence card, citizenship certificate, or passport), and income verification.

On Saturday, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Kathleen Sebelius visited South Florida on Saturday to help kick off a "Souls To Enroll" event at the Mount Sinai Missionary Church in Miami.

"Monday at midnight is the deadline and that they need to come and find an event here throughout the Miami area or call the toll free hotline or come to the website to see what is available," said Sebelius.

The government is expecting a surge of last minute visitors to healthcare.gov, toll free number and a number of locations in the South Florida area as Monday night's deadline to sign up is getting closer.

"This law presents some affordable available options, they can join the six million folks who have already signed up and found affordable plans," said Sebelius.

Health and Human Services said 23-percent of Floridians don't have health insurance.

The secretary said a family of four with a 50-thousand dollar household annual income, with a tax credit, can find a full plan for as little as $72 a month.

Sebelius said they're treating sign-up like voting on election Day. If you're in line or in the middle of the process when the deadline is up, they're not going to cut off. Those who started will be allowed to continue the sign-up, in what she calls a "customer friendly" effort.