Local News

If you live on the Eastside and want to learn more about possibly buying health-insurance coverage on the state’s new exchange, Saturday presents a good opportunity.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Crossroads Bellevue mall, staff known as “assisters” will be on hand to help you compare coverage plans, determine eligibility for subsidies, or navigate the state’s new health-insurance website. The mall is at 15600 N.E. Eighth Street in Bellevue. Translators will be available for those whose first language is not English.

Public Health-Seattle & King County is sponsoring the event.

If you are considering enrolling, you’ll want to have this information with you:
■ Names, birthdays, address and contact information for everyone in your household;
■ Social Security numbers;
■ Passport, alien, or other immigration numbers — for any legal immigrants who want health-care coverage;
■ Estimated tax status for 2012, 2013 and 2014 for all household members;
■ Income information for 2012, 2013 and 2014 for all adults and all minors age 14 or older who are required to file a tax return;
■ Information about health insurance already available to your family, such as employer-sponsored insurance, Medicare or TriCare.

Most people are signing for coverage by using the state’s insurance-exchange website, Washington Healthplanfinder. Still, according to the public health agency, more than 180 people attended an advice and signup event in Lake Forest Park last week, and 150 to an earlier event at Garfield Community Center in Seattle.

The health agency reports that more than 11,000 Bellevue residents are uninsured, as are 4,000 in Redmond — and most are eligible for low-cost or free insurance.