HOUSTON – Local 2 was proud to team up with Telemundo for our second health care reform phone bank to answer your questions about health care reform. Between 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Monday, our volunteers took any questions you had about signing up for health insurance. We also hosted a live web chat on Click2Houston.com. A recap of the chat is posted below.

Helpful phone numbers for Health Care Reform questionsPublished: September 30, 2013, 7:11 pmHOUSTON – Here are some helpful phone numbers to get your Health Care Reform questions answered: Health Insurance Marketplace: 800-318-2596 Medicare 800-633-4227 Medicaid 866-762-2237 Social Security 800-772-1213 SHOP for small business owners 800-706-7893 Check out our full coverage in our Health Care Reform section by clicking here. Copyright 2013 by Click2Houston.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

With health care reform on the horizon, it is becoming an attractive and convenient option for families. Dr. Belsher isn't surprised to learn a recent study by Kaiser Health found urgent care centers around the country have doubled to more than 400 in the last four years. More are on the way with the timing coinciding with health care reform. "Our copays are a fraction of what a copay would be in an emergency room," Dr. Belsher explained. As health care reform nears, MedSpring is taking the unique step of extending primary care to families, managing chronic conditions while also focusing on prevention and screening.

HOUSTON – Just four more days until Americans can begin signing up for insurance created by the Health Care Reform law. Federal health officials have just revealed the first sneak peak at plans that will be available in the Houston area and how much they'll cost. The prices and policies vary by region, so rates in Houston are different than Dallas and San Antonio. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services there will be 46 insurance plans offered to people in the Houston area. And we haven't even learned the names of the insurance companies that will be offering these plans," Marks said.

HOUSTON – Senator Ted Cruz says he feels energized after ending a marathon session of standing and speaking on the floor of the U.S. Senate to draw attention to his fight to de-fund the Affordable Care Act. The Texas Republican began speaking Tuesday afternoon and ended his verbal assault on the health care law nearly 22 hours later. "As a middle-aged cancer survivor I want and need health care," said Parks. "I just admire Ted Cruz. Witt says the new health care law will drive up the cost of coverage for her family of five and they are bracing for the financial hit.

HOUSTON – Open enrollment for Affordable Health Care begins on October 1. Soon after, Medicare enrollment begins for seniors which may be causing some confusion over how this is all going to affect those over 65 years old. Houston Medicare advocate and consultant Toni King said since changes were announced for health care reform this year, the attendance at her Medicare workshops has changed. Keep in mind, Medicare enrollment begins on October 15 and runs through December 7. "Your health care providers know this better than anybody else."

HOUSTON – It is estimated that 1 in 5 women do not have health insurance. When balancing work and family, health is often on the back burner for many women. Baylor College of Medicine Dr. Aanand Naik explained how health care reform will offer more access to preventative care without premiums or co-payments. "Many private health insurance plans, particularly those that are offered in the individual health insurance market and in small group market, currently do not provide that coverage," explained Dr. Begley. Open enrollment for Affordable Health Care begins on October 1 and require all Americans to have health insurance by the new year.