Missed the Obamacare deadline? You may have extra time!
If you missed the deadline to purchase health insurance in compliance with the Affordable Care Act, it might not be too late. Even though the…
You may have until Sunday–or longer–to enroll in Obamacare. (Shutterstock)
If you missed the deadline to purchase health insurance in compliance with the Affordable Care Act, it might not be too late. Even though the official last day of registration was February 15th, the federal government is giving some customers until this Sunday, the 22nd to complete the process.
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The extension applies for all states except the 13 who have their own state-run exchanges, as well as the District of Colombia. In those regions, the rules vary state-by-state, but most have offered an extension of some nature. The New York Times reports Washington state currently has the longest extension period–until April 17th.
“This is the first year that residents may incur a tax penalty for not having health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, Richard Onizuka, chief executive officer of Washingtons exchange, told the Wall Street Journal. This special enrollment window will allow these individualsas well as those who experienced difficulty completing their applicationsadditional time to get enrolled for 2015 coverage.
Difficulty accessing online signups as well as prolonged wait periods for phone registration are what is driving the federal and state deadline extension. Though this year’s open enrollment was far smoother than last year, official websites still experienced a number of glitches.
Failure to sign up for healthcare by your state’s deadline could result in a tax penalty at the end of the year. For 2015, the penalty will be $95 per person in a family (capped at $285), or 1 percent of income, whichever is higher.
Thankfully, the steps to signing up remain the same and are relatively simple:
IF you aren’t willing to fill out your application online, there are places you can go for assistance. (Shutterstock)
Step 1: Research the coverage options for 2015 insurance plans.
This is done through the official Obamacare website, Healthcare.gov. By typing in your zip code, you can see what insurance packages are available and what their range of prices are for the upcoming year.
Step 2: Decide if you have any exemptions or special circumstances that may qualify you for discounted costs.
There are a number of programs included in Obamacare, as well as tax credits, that may help people who meet certain eligibility requirements. If you are living below the poverty level, have young children, have been in the military, or have receive government assistance in the past, it would be wise to call 1-800-318-2596 to see if you qualify for any discounts.
Step 3: Visit the official Obamacare sign-up website Healthcare.gov.
If you have Internet access, Healthcare.gov is the starting point for obtaining insurance. The website will walk you through the steps page-by-page, first setting up your account, then walking you through the application process, plan selection, and final enrollment.
SEE ALSO: Many Latinos still uninformed about Obamacare tax implications
If you cant use the Internet for some reason (the government website has been known for its glitches), you can call 1-800-318-2596 to place an application, gain access to help in other languages, or to locate a facility near you where you can go an apply in-person.
