California: 4-day "Overtime Period" added for those who start process by midnight tonight

First Minnesota's ACA exchange, MNsure, announced an 8-Day "don't call it an extension!" Special Enrollment Period mainly targeted at providing a 25% premium discount for those who don't qualify for the normal federal APTC/CSR financial assistance.

Now, Covered California has announced their own 4-day "Overtime" period, although this is more of the standard "waiting in line" variety:

Covered California Gives Consumers More Time to ‘Cross the Finish Line’ as It Prepares for Surge of Enrollment

• Consumers must begin the application process by the end of Jan. 31 and complete their enrollment by the end of Feb. 4.
• Thousands of Certified Insurance Agents and Community Enrollment Partners are ready to provide free and confidential in-person assistance.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Covered California announced it is giving consumers who attempt to enroll by the Jan. 31 deadline four more days to complete their enrollment.

“Experience tells us that people wait until the last day to sign up for health insurance, and we do not want to leave anyone behind,” said Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee. “Health care is so important, and people should not miss this opportunity to get coverage if they get caught up in a wave of last-minute shoppers.”

Between Feb. 1 and Feb. 4, consumers who started an application can complete the process with help from a Certified Insurance Agent, Service Center Representative or Community Enrollment Partner. Enrollment partners include Certified Enrollment Counselors, Certified Application Counselors and Plan-Based Enrollers. Those who finish their application by Feb. 4 will have their health care coverage start on March 1, 2017.

“Covered California is committed to helping all consumers cross the enrollment finish line,” Lee said. “Our top priority is making sure they have the time and help they need to find the Covered California health plan that works for them.”

Consumers interested in enrolling online can do so on CoveredCA.com. They can also get free and confidential in-person assistance, in a variety of languages, by clicking on “Free Local Help to Enroll.” They can find a nearby enroller or have a certified enroller contact them through the “Help on Demand” feature. Consumers can also enroll over the phone by calling Covered California at (800) 300-1506.

Covered California also stressed that financial assistance is available to help consumers pay for their coverage. The financial help allows 60 percent of consumers to get a Bronze plan for less than $10 per month, and 50 percent of consumers to get a Silver plan for less than $100 per month. Nearly nine out of every 10 Covered California enrollees receive some level of financial assistance.

“We will help people get across the finish line in the days following the deadline, but you must take steps to begin the process by today,” Lee said. “Covered California has partners who will make enrollment easier than you think, and with the financial help that is available it can be more affordable than you realize.”

Once open enrollment ends, consumers may sign up only if they experience a life-changing event such as losing their health care coverage, getting married, having a child or moving. Medi-Cal enrollment is year round.