March 26th, 2014 – While open enrollment will still close on March 31st, the White House is giving an extension for people “who start the enrollment process” by March 31st. News reports say the extension would allow Americans who do not meet the March 31 deadline to simply indicate that they had been trying but were unable to complete the process.
Today, Colorado’s state based exchange updated their website to say, “March 31st is the last day to apply for commercial health insurance for 2014. Coloradans who apply for coverage by March 31 will have health insurance that takes effect May 1. We will help customers who are unable to finalize their enrollment by March 31 to complete the process. ”
Additionally, Connect for Health Colorado stated that people who complete Medicaid applications by March 31st will be allowed to apply for health insurance plan through May 31st. Medicaid applications are required for people who qualify for Advance Premium Tax Credits, which can reduce their monthly premiums.
After Open Enrollment closes, people who buy their own health insurance will no longer be able to purchase Affordable Care Act compliant health insurance, either inside or outside of the health insurance exchange until Open Enrollment reopens on November 15th.
After Open Enrollment closes only people with special qualifying events will be able to get new policies. Special qualifying events include marriage, birth or adoption of a child, divorce, moving out of a service area, or involuntary loss of coverage. Not paying a bill will not count as an involuntary loss of coverage, so do not let health insurance policies lapse.
If you need health insurance or want to see if you can save money on individual or family health insurance plans, please remember the deadline to begin the enrollment process is March 31st, 2014. Follow the the link for step-by-step instructions.
