19 Mar HEALTH INSURANCE SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD ENDS MAY 15, 2021 – NEW COVID RELIEF BILL ALSO LIKELY TO INCREASE ENROLLMENT IN OBAMACARE
As a result of COVID-19 and the new health problems resulting therefrom, President Biden signed an Executive Order for those either uninsured (around 29 million Americans) or under insured to get health insurance (Obamacare) for those in states served by marketplaces that use the HealthCare.gov platform. The special enrollment period to enroll in the coverage expires on May 15, 2021 (normally only open from November 1 to December 15). Enrollment can be done through a Marketplace call center, HealthCare.gov, direct enrollment channels or through agents and brokers registered with the Marketplace.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services (CMS) has started a campaign for education and awareness of the special enrollment period to encourage enrollment.
Consumers will have 30 days to choose a plan after they apply. Current enrollees can also change their plans. The cost of insurance varies with income cost (with greater income). However, it is less costly than COBRA.
Additionally, the passage of the American Rescue Plan is likely to increase coverage and enrollment under President Obama’s Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) since there would be greater financial assistance and more middle-class families would qualify. The lower cost premiums plus additional upfront money available to states who adopt Medicaid expansion are also incentives for increased enrollment.
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