McDowell Access to Care and Health

11/25/2025

Medicare friends — don’t lose your doctor this year! 💙

If you see UNC Health or Hopscotch Health, the plans they accept in 2025 are VERY limited. Choosing the wrong plan could mean losing your provider, paying out-of-network prices, or only receiving emergency care at UNC hospitals.

Here’s what they will take:

UNC Health accepts:

Aetna • BCBS • AARP/UnitedHealthcare • NC State Health Plan • Humana (state plan only)

Hopscotch accepts:

Aetna • Alignment • BCBS • Humana • AARP/UnitedHealthcare

💡 If these are your providers, PLEASE double-check your Medicare Advantage plan before you enroll or renew.

MATCH can walk you through it, make sure your doctors are in-network, and help you avoid major surprises in January.

📞 We still have appointments available!
Call 828-659-5289 for free, confidential, unbiased help.
In-person • Phone • Zoom — whatever you need.

11/24/2025

🌟 What’s the Difference Between an ACA Navigator and an Insurance Broker? And Why Should You Choose a Navigator? 🌟

When it comes to ACA Marketplace coverage, it can feel overwhelming to sort through all the plans, networks, and rules. That’s why MATCH has certified ACA Navigators—and we want our community to know what makes this free service so special.

🧭 What Navigators Do (Always FREE):
• ✔️ Provide unbiased, conflict-free guidance
• ✔️ Help you compare plans based on your doctors, medications, hospitals, and needs
• ✔️ Explain financial help like APTCs and cost-sharing reductions
• ✔️ Assist with Marketplace applications, eligibility issues, appeals, and exemptions
• ✔️ Support with Medicaid, Medicare transitions, and coverage loss
• ✔️ Help troubleshoot billing, Medicaid terminations, renewal issues, and document uploads
• ✔️ Provide trauma-informed, community-based help—no sales, no pressure, ever

Navigators are certified, trained, and part of federal and state programs created to protect consumers—especially in rural communities like ours.

💼 What Brokers Do:
Many brokers are wonderful resources, but it’s important to know:
• 🏢 Brokers sell insurance and may only represent certain carriers
• 💰 They may receive commissions, bonuses, or incentives from insurance companies
• 🔄 They may not show every available Marketplace plan
• 🧾 Their advice may be guided by which plans they can sell—not always what’s best for you

There is absolutely nothing wrong with using a broker—many are great. But their role is different from a Navigator’s.

💙 Why Choose a Navigator?
• 💸 100% free
• 📚 Certified, trained, and accountable to federal consumer-protection standards
• 🧩 We look at the whole picture: income, networks, doctors, medications, local providers, and community resources
• 🌍 Deep knowledge of our rural area, local health systems, and what’s realistically accessible for our neighbors
• 🫶 Our only job is to help you get covered—no commissions, no sales, no conflict of interest

At MATCH, we believe everyone in McDowell County deserves simple, fair, and compassionate help navigating health coverage. If you need assistance, we’re here for you.

📞 828-659-5289
📍 In-person, phone, and Zoom appointments available
💻 Open Enrollment is NOW—don’t wait to get the support you deserve

11/24/2025

Code Purple Emergency Shelter Activation

Code Purple will be in effect Thursday, November 27th through Saturday, November 29th, as temperatures are expected to remain at or below 32 degrees.

A purple flag will be displayed on the building to let our unsheltered neighbors know that Code Purple is active. Please follow our page for updates.

Thank you for helping us spread the word.

11/23/2025

Join us live via Zoom for Legal Aid of NC's Listen & Learn webinars, where we cover a different topic every session!
Our next session on Criminal Record Expungement happens Tuesday, 12/2, at 2:30 PM. Register for free today at www.legalaidnc.org/events

11/21/2025

We are honored to take part in Mission Ministries Alliance’s first Annual Sleep Out Event.
We stand in solidarity with our neighbors experiencing homelessness, and with the beautiful, courageous people who show up every single day to offer love, compassion, and dignity.
Our community is stronger because of them.

11/20/2025

🩵 What to Know About ACA Marketplace & Medicare Open Enrollment 🩵

Open Enrollment season is officially here, and there are some important things every McDowell County resident should know, whether you get coverage through the ACA Marketplace or Medicare.

🌐 ACA Marketplace (HealthCare.gov)

✔ Open Enrollment Dates: Nov 1 – Jan 15
✔ Deadline for Jan 1 coverage: Enroll by Dec 15
✔ Plans & prices have changed this year; it’s important to compare even if you like your current plan
✔ APTC (financial assistance) may be higher or lower depending on your income
✔ Local networks have changed — doctors you used in 2024 may not be in-network for 2025
✔ You can update income, switch plans, or get help deciding what fits your needs

🧓 Medicare (65+, disability, ESRD)

✔ Open Enrollment Dates: Oct 15 – Dec 7
✔ You can change your Medicare Advantage plan
✔ Switch from Advantage ➡️ Original Medicare, or vice-versa
✔ Add or change your Part D prescription drug plan
✔ Review important changes: formularies, networks, copays, and premiums
✔ Many local providers changed their Medicare contracts for 2025 — review carefully!

🩺 MATCH Can Help With Both

MATCH is a certified ACA Marketplace Navigator site and a SHIIP (Medicare) counseling location, meaning we can help you:
• Compare ALL your 2025 options
• Understand local network changes
• Check for cost savings
• Update applications
• File extra help / LIS
• Enroll by phone, in person, or via Zoom
• Get unbiased, confidential guidance at no cost

📞 828-659-5289
You have options and we’re here to help you understand them.

11/19/2025

At MATCH, we believe everyone deserves to feel safe, welcomed, and supported , always. Our doors are open to all of our neighbors, and we stand proudly with our Hispanic and Latino community during this time.

We remain committed to providing caring, confidential, and judgment-free support. Whether you need help with health coverage, resources, or simply someone to guide you through next steps, we are here for you.

📞 If you are in need of confidential services, please call us at 828-659-5289.
If needed, we can come to you.

💛 You matter. Your family matters. Our community is stronger because of you.

MATCH is a safe place for all.

11/17/2025

📣📣Don’t Miss Your Chance! Open Enrollment Is Happening NOW!

Need health coverage that starts January 1?
You must enroll by December 15 — and we’re here to make it EASY. 🙌

📍 MATCH will be at the McDowell County Public Library today from 2:00–5:30 PM!
Walk in, sit down with a certified Navigator, and get your questions answered on the spot.

We can help you:
✨ Compare plans (BIG changes this year!)
✨ Check your savings & APTCs
✨ Review Medicare options
✨ Update income/household info
✨ Sort fact from all the misinformation floating around

Our help is FREE, local, and certified.
You don’t have to figure this out alone — we’ve got you. 💙

📞 Call MATCH: 828-659-5289
Walk-ins welcome.

11/15/2025

McDowell Express is Expanding!

We’re excited to share that McDowell’s on-demand public transit system is growing. The first McDowell Express van has been a resounding success, and because of the high demand, we’re adding a second van beginning December 1st.

If you’ve recently had a ride request declined during peak times, we’re working to fix that. The additional van will help us better meet demand and get more riders where they need to go.

Service area: unchanged
Hours of service: unchanged

Thank you for your continued support as we work to improve transit access for our community!

11/14/2025

📣📣 important Medicare updates!!
Give us a call today to review or change your Medicare plan before December 7 !!

Changes are coming in UNC Health Blue Ridge's relationships with Medicare Advantage plans.

11/14/2025

💙 Big Changes Ahead for Marketplace Savings 💙

Let MATCH Help You Find What Fits :With or Without Tax Credits

This year, many families are finding out their Advanced Premium Tax Credits (APTCs), the monthly savings that help lower Marketplace premiums, have changed.
Some folks are still qualifying for great savings, while others are seeing premiums increase more than expected.
👉 Here’s the good news: You don’t have to figure it out alone.
At MATCH (McDowell Access to Care and Health), our certified Marketplace Navigators can:
💰 Help you check your eligibility for APTCs or other cost-sharing reductions

🧾 Compare plans side-by-side so you know what your real monthly cost will be

🩺 Connect you to local resources if you don’t qualify for Marketplace savings, including Medicaid, Medicare, community clinics, and prescription-assistance programs

❤️ Make sure you have access to the care you need, even if your situation has changed

📅 Open Enrollment runs November 1 – January 15
⏰ Enroll by December 15 for coverage starting January 1
📞 Call MATCH at 828-659-5289 for free, confidential help today.
Whether you qualify for a tax credit or need help finding another path to care, we’ll help you find a way.

11/13/2025

💙 Let’s Make Sure Your Medicare Still Fits You! 💙
🗓 Medicare Open Enrollment: October 15 – December 7
It’s that important time of year again — Medicare Open Enrollment! This is your chance to review your current plan, make changes, or switch to a new Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Plan (Part D).
This year, it’s especially important to check your coverage. There have been several local changes in provider networks, meaning some doctors and offices that were once “in-network” may no longer be covered under your current plan. Taking a few minutes to review your plan could make a big difference in your costs and care for 2026.
💡 During Open Enrollment, you can:
✅ Review and compare your current coverage

🔄 Switch to a new Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C)

💊 Enroll in or change your Prescription Drug Plan (Part D)

📋 Return to Original Medicare if you choose

At MATCH (McDowell Access to Care and Health), we’re proud to be a certified site for Medicare counseling through the North Carolina SHIIP (Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program) and our partnership with McDowell Senior Center.
Our trained counselors offer free, unbiased, and confidential help to guide you through your options and find a plan that truly fits your needs and budget.
📞 Call MATCH at 828-659-5289 to schedule your appointment.
Don’t wait — the choices you make now determine your coverage for all of 2026.
Let’s make sure your Medicare still fits you — and your life! 💙