What to Know About Open Enrollment

/ Worley Erhart-Graves Financial Advisors/

Open Enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace 2016 plans has been in effect since November 1, 2015. If you wish to enroll in a 2016 health insurance coverage plan under the Affordable Care Act, or revise your current plan. There are several important dates to keep in mind:

  • December 15, 2015: last day to enroll in or change plans for new coverage to start on January 1, 2016. 

  • January 15, 2016: last day to enroll in or change plans for new coverage to start February 1, 2016.

  • Enrollments or changes between January 16 and January 31, 2016 will take effect March 1, 2016.

  • Janaury 31, 2016: 2016 Open Enrollments ends.

When you visit healthcare.gov, you will see the estimate of your total costs under the different health plans, depending on what level of health care coverage you want. If you know your estimated income for 2016, you can determine how much, if any, assistance you could be eligible for, regarding your health insurance.

If you don’t enroll in a 2016 Marketplace health insurance plan by January 31, 2016, you can’t enroll in a health insurance plan for 2016 unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. This involves a change in family status (marriage/birth of a child) or loss of other health coverage.

Remember, it’s costly to not have health insurance. The fee for 2016 has increased to 2.5 percent of your household income or $695, whichever is greater.

Here are some helpful links to learn more about Open Enrollment and applying for health insurance:

Get ready to apply for health insurance:https://www.healthcare.gov/apply-and-enroll/get-ready-to-apply/

Special Enrollment Periods:https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage-outside-open-enrollment/special-enrollment-period/

Keep or Change Your Plan: https://www.healthcare.gov/have-coverage/