{"id":20414,"date":"2021-07-15T13:08:16","date_gmt":"2021-07-15T13:08:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nclnet.org\/?p=20414"},"modified":"2021-07-15T13:26:00","modified_gmt":"2021-07-15T13:26:00","slug":"dont-forget-to-take-advantage-of-healthcare-gov-special-enrollment-period","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nclnet.org\/special_enrollment\/","title":{"rendered":"Don\u2019t forget to take advantage of Healthcare.gov Special Enrollment Period"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Special Guest Kelley Schultz, Executive Director, Commercial Policy, America’s Health Insurance Plans and NCL Director of Health Policy Jeanette Contreras<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

More than 2 million<\/a> Americans nationwide\u20141.5 million in healthcare.gov states, and an additional 600,000 individuals in states that run their own exchanges\u2014have signed up for coverage during the 2021 Marketplace Special Enrollment Period that extends through August 15. Earlier this year, President Biden launched a new special enrollment period for the 36 states using healthcare.gov\u2014and states that run their own marketplaces followed suit\u2014to help people get health coverage and peace of mind.<\/p>\n

Millions of Americans still have the opportunity to enroll in new health insurance plans through the healthcare.gov<\/a> marketplace, whether they\u2019re uninsured or currently enrolled and wish to switch plans.<\/p>\n

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021<\/em><\/a> temporarily increased the availability and generosity of the Affordable Care Act\u2019s premium subsidies. As a result, 3.7 million Americans are eligible for expanded financial assistance<\/a> to make premiums more affordable, including people who didn\u2019t qualify for financial assistance before.<\/p>\n

This Special Enrollment Period is a crucial opportunity as the country comes out of the COVID-19 pandemic and the financial hardship experienced by many\u2014a quarter of U.S. adults<\/a> say they or someone in their household has been laid off, with even more seeing reduced pay. The expanded opportunity for people to enroll in marketplace health plans with enhanced affordability is a major development that will provide much needed assistance to Americans who have faced economic stresses over the past year.<\/p>\n

The deadline to enroll in coverage during the healthcare.gov Special Enrollment Period is August 15. States that run their own exchanges may have different deadlines, so consumers should check when their state\u2019s special enrollment period ends. Additionally, current enrollees should return to healthcare.gov to check to access enhanced subsidies to lower their monthly premium and see if they can get additional savings by switching to a high-value plan with lower cost sharing.<\/p>\n

The relief bill extended subsidies to 3.7 million people to help lower their monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs, including people with incomes over 400% of the Federal Poverty Level ($51,040 for an individual or $104,800 for a family of four). Anyone with incomes below 150% of the federal poverty level ($19,140 for an individual or $39,300 for a family of four) is eligible for a high-value plan with a $0 premium and a very low deductible.<\/p>\n

These increased subsidies make quality health insurance coverage more affordable for millions of Americans who are encouraged to visit healthcare.gov<\/a> or their state exchange to see how they can sign up. Health coverage will start on the first day of the month after you select a plan, so it is important that enrollees consider this timeline while making their decisions.<\/p>\n

Some SEP resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n