An important reminder, Federal and State exchanges are closing for their annual enrollment as of January 31, 2017 for a March 1 effective date. Visit Healthcare.Gov to find your state and be sure you are enrolled. If you miss this opportunity, you will not be able to enroll into a plan till December 2017, for a January 1, 2018 effective date. And, you will be paying the fine for not having insurance in place.
There are some exceptions to this.
1. Buying Direct: You may have an opportunity to enroll directly with an insurance carrier until February 15, 2017 for a March 1st effective date but you get NO tax credits and it is not through the State/Federal Exchange program. It is up to you to figure out the carriers that will write policies directly with you outside of the exchange but this too, will end very soon.
2. Special Enrollment Period (SEP): If you lose coverage, move, have a change in family status, outside of the annual Open Enrollment, you may be able to join the Exchange or buy a policy directly. Just be careful -- you have to be aware of the cut off dates. Click here to learn more about these options Special Enrollment Periods @ Healthcare.gov
3. Medicaid & Child Health Insurance Plan: This is the only product you have the ability to enroll in anytime during the year. If you become eligible, based on your income, you can apply and you will be able to enroll, without proof of a loss of coverage. Medicaid & CHIP @ Healthcare.gov
Don't let the window slam down on your hands - get enrolled while it is still open. We will continue to talk and explore the future, but this is important now.
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