Affordable health insurance for individuals, families and the self-employed

On February 15, the Affordable Care Act’s designated open enrollment period for 2015 ended.  If you attempted to enroll at the last minute, there’s good news: the federal and state exchanges have announced widespread extensions, so you may still be able to get coverage in your state’s exchange.

And this week, federal officials announced that taxpayers – in the 37 states that use HealthCare.gov – who face a fine or Obamacare penalty for not having health insurance, will have another opportunity to enroll in the exchanges, March 15-April 30.

Vermont, Minnesota and Washington State had already announced special enrollment periods for people who will find out when they file their taxes that they’re subject to ACA’s penalty for not having coverage. More state-run exchanges are likely to follow suit in the coming days.
Exchange extensions

In the 37 states that are using HealthCare.gov, you have until February 22 to finish your enrollment if you were unable to do so by February 15 … either because of a technical difficulty with the web site, or because of extensive hold times for the call center on the final three days of open enrollment. Coverage will still be effective March 1 for people who complete their enrollment during the extension.

All 14 state-run exchanges have now issued some sort of extension to open enrollment. The extensions vary from one state to another, so be sure to check out our detailed extension summary.

Two states (Massachusetts and Rhode Island) have extended open enrollment until February 23 for all residents.  In Minnesota, California,Colorado, Connecticut, Maryland and New York, extensions apply to people who tried to enroll by February 15 but were unable to complete the process.

Obamacare’s next open enrollment period begins on November 1, 2015, for coverage that will be effective January 1, 2016.  But in addition to the extensions that have been tacked on to the end of open enrollment, you can enroll in ACA-compliant coverage (and thus avoid the ACA’s individual mandate penalty) for 2015 if you have a qualifying event. Read more about how qualifying events trigger a special enrollment period.

Why you should pick up the phone

Before the Affordable Care Act (ACA) we usually recommended people simply shop online. But today, with the complexities of premium subsidies, cost sharing subsidies, penalties – and now enrollment deadline extensions – it’s a smart move to talk to a licensed insurance agent who can help minimize your cost and maximize your benefits.

At healthinsurance.org, we don’t sell insurance, but we do partner with qualified call centers staffed with agents who are both licensed in your state and exchange certified. Visit your state page to find the telephone number for medical insurance professionals who can offer you free guidance, or call the general number at 1-866-414-0201.

Medical insurance for 2015

Since last year, an estimated 9.4 million Americans have enrolled in health insurance exchange – or marketplace – plans (and have paid their premiums). At the same time, Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion has helped boost the number of new Medicaid enrollees to more than 7 million. What’s more, millions more Americans have enrolled in private ACA-compliant plans outside the exchanges – or off exchange.