#ACATaxTime: Tax Season Enrollment Period Roundup (Update x11)

Fri, 02/20/2015 - 2:04pm

Last Sunday I decided to round up all of the different "overtime period" policies onto a single page, which has been linked to as a resource by a bunch of media outlets. Today I'm doing the same thing for the Tax Filing Season Special Enrollment Period (SEP), which has already been announced for 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 48 states as of 3/11. The other 3 states (CO, ID & MA) have specifically stated that they won't be offering such a SEP:

  • HEALTHCARE.GOV (37 states): March 15th - April 30th
    Those eligible for this special enrollment period live in states with a Federally-facilitated Marketplace and:
    --​Currently are not enrolled in coverage through the FFM for 2015,
    --Attest that when they filed their 2014 tax return they paid the fee for not having health coverage in 2014, and
    --    Attest that they first became aware of, or understood the implications of, the Shared Responsibility Payment after the end of open enrollment (February 15, 2015) in connection with preparing their 2014 taxes.
    The special enrollment period announced today will begin on March 15, 2015 and end at 11:59 pm E.S.T. on April 30, 2015.  If a consumer enrolls in coverage before the 15th of the month, coverage will be effective on the first day of the following month.
  • California: February 23rd - April 30th
    "Consumers are eligible to apply for health coverage during special enrollment by attesting that they did not realize there was a tax penalty. To attest to this fact, they can select “Informed of Tax Penalty Risk” when filling out an application at CoveredCA.com."
  • Colorado: NO TAX SEASON ENROLLMENT PERIOD
    “After considering all the factors and consulting with Connect for Health Colorado, the Division determined that the negatives of starting up another enrollment period outweighed the positives.  Open enrollment lasted for three months and everyone – Connect for Health Colorado, the carriers, brokers and health coverage guides – was on-alert.” 
  • Connecticut: April 1st - April 30th
    "Access Health CT today announced a special enrollment period for individuals who did not have health care coverage in 2014 and are subject to a tax penalty on their 2014 federal taxes. This special enrollment period will allow individuals and families who were unaware or didn’t understand the implications of the health care requirement to enroll in coverage for 2015. The special enrollment period will begin April 1 and continue through midnight on April 30."
  • District of Columbia: March 15 - April 30
    "Yesterday, the DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority (HBX) adopted a unanimous recommendation from its Standing Advisory Board to allow a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for District residents who may be subject to a federal tax penalty because they did not have health insurance. These District residents may be learning about the penalty for the first time when they file their 2014 federal tax returns. 

    This Special Enrollment Period starts March 15, 2015, and ends on April 30, 2015. To qualify, a resident must attest that when the person filed their 2014 federal tax return, the taxpayer paid a tax penalty to the IRS for not having health coverage in 2014...:

  • Hawaii: March 15 - April 30
    "On February 26, Hawaii Health Connector confirmed by email that they are offering a special enrollment period for people who learn about the penalty when they file their taxes.  It will run from March 15 to April 30."
  • Idaho: NO TAX SEASON ENROLLMENT PERIOD
    After careful consideration and coordination with key stakeholders, Your Health Idaho has decided not to offer a Special Enrollment Period for individuals who pay a penalty for not enrolling in health insurance coverage in 2014.
  • Maryland: March 15th - April 30th
    "Maryland Health Connection is allowing consumers who owe a tax penalty for not having health coverage in 2014 to still enroll for 2015 coverage through a special enrollment period that will run March 15 through April 30...The special enrollment period is for Marylanders who must pay the penalty for lacking health insurance in 2014 and who attest that they became aware of the penalty during this income tax filing season after the Feb. 15 close of open enrollment for 2015 coverage."
  • Massachusetts: NO TAX SEASON ENROLLMENT PERIOD (via email)
    "We are not planning to have a tax season SEP. With a state individual mandate in place for a number of years, the concept of needing health insurance is not a new one in Massachusetts."
  • Minnesota: March 1st - April 30th
    "In an effort to raise awareness and lessen the tax burden for some Minnesotans, MNsure will offer a Special Enrollment Period for individuals who are required to pay a penalty for being uninsured in 2014 as they file their 2014 tax return. This Special Enrollment Period will begin on March 1, 2015, and end on April 30, 2015. These individuals will still be responsible for the 2014 tax penalty, but this Special Enrollment Period will help eliminate or minimize 2015 tax penalties for those who enroll. Coverage would begin on April 1, May 1 or June 1, 2015, depending on timing of enrollment."
  • New York: March 1st - April 30th
    The SEP will start on March 1 and end at 11:59 p.m. on April 30, 2015. Consumers who do not enroll during this period and do not meet the criteria for other SEPs will not be able to purchase coverage during the remainder of 2015 and may be subject to a federal tax penalty when they file their 2015 federal income taxes. Individuals who are eligible for Medicaid and Child Health Plus can continue to enroll throughout the year.
    To be eligible for this SEP, individuals must attest that when they filed their 2014 federal tax return, that they paid a penalty for not having health insurance in 2014, and that they first became aware of or understood the implications of not having health insurance in 2014 when they filed their federal tax return.
  • Rhode Island: March 15th - April 30th
    HealthSource RI announced today that it will offer a special enrollment period (SEP) from March 15 through April 30 for eligible individuals and families to get coverage for 2015 if they did not have health coverage in 2014 and, as a result, will have to pay a fee or “shared responsibility payment” when they file their 2014 taxes./em>
  • Vermont: February 16 - May 31st
    "Vermonters who are impacted by the federal fee should call Vermont Health Connect’s Customer Support Center at 1-855-899-9600 (toll-free). They must apply and select a plan within 60 days from the date they discovered they would be subject to the federal Shared Responsibility Payment, but no later than May 31. Coverage will be effective as of the 1st of the month following plan selection."
  • Washington State: February 17 - April 17
    "Click "Shop for a Health Plan" on the Washington Healthplanfinder homepage to fill out an application for free or low-cost coverage. If you are eligible to purchase a Qualified Health Plan, you will get a screen that tells you the Qualified Health Plan open enrollment period is closed. Click "See if you Qualify" and fill out the special conditions questionnaire. If none of the special conditions apply to you, select "yes" on "Have Had Another Recent Change" at the bottom of the questionnaire. Then, you will need to call our Customer Support Center at 1-855-923-4633 and let a representative know that you would like to enroll in a spring special enrollment."

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