Washington Healthplanfinder Sees Surge in Customers as Final 2021 Deadline Approaches
Select a plan by Jan. 15 for coverage that begins Feb. 1
People statewide flocked to Washington Healthplanfinder this week to beat the Dec. 15 deadline for health coverage that would start the first of the year. With that date now passed, Washingtonians still seeking 2021 health coverage have until Jan 15, 2021 to shop on Washington Healthplanfinder for coverage that begins February 1.
“We were glad to see the large number of enrollees come in and secure coverage that starts Jan. 1,” said Chief Executive Officer Pam MacEwan. “This year, in response to the public health emergency, we are providing additional time for those who didn’t enroll prior to Dec. 15 to sign up for 2021 coverage over the next month.”
According to IRS National Taxpayer Advocate Erin Collins, IRS sent 1.8 million letters seeking more information from taxpayers who either failed to reconcile their tax credits or had discrepancies on their forms this year. But staff cuts and other problems stemming from the pandemic have stymied IRS’ work, and the agency still has about 1 million returns waiting to be processed, 3 million pieces of unopened mail and about 6.8 million individual returns still in process. As a result, even if taxpayers provided all requested information, the data that IRS shared with the marketplace might be inaccurate or incomplete, Collins says in a Nov. 25 blog published by the IRS’ Taxpayer Advocacy Service.
It's turned into an annual tradition: The official annual ACA Open Enrollment Period (OEP) runs from November 1st - December 15th, but most of the state-based ACA exchanges have later deadlines. hThen, right around the 12/15 point, it begins: One by one, some of the state-based exchanges announce further extensions of their deadlines to #GetCovered for the upcoming year.
In some cases they simply bump out the deadline for coverage starting in January, with the final "hard" deadline for February or March coverage staying where it is. In other cases they were never allowing Open Enrollment start dates past January to begin with, so it's the hard deadline which is being extended.
In any event, here's this year's batch of announcements; note that this list could grow longer over the next week or two:
Access Health CT Extends 2021 Annual Open Enrollment Period As A Result Of Current Health Crisis
CT residents can shop and enroll in health insurance coverage until January 15, 2021
Access Health CT extended the 2021 Annual Open Enrollment period until January 15, 2021 as a result of the current health crisis, providing more time for CT residents to get covered.
If individuals choose a plan during the extension, the coverage will start on February 1, 2021.
If customers are already covered by an insurance plan through Access Health CT for January 2021 and would like to pick a new plan starting in February 2021, they must first pay their January monthly bill (premium).
HARTFORD, Conn. (December 16, 2020)—Access Health CT (AHCT) today announced an extension for the 2021 Annual Open Enrollment period until January 15, 2021 as a result of the current health crisis, providing more time for CT residents to get covered.
Connect for Health Colorado Offers Coloradans Through Dec. 18 to Enroll in Health Insurance Starting Jan. 1
DENVER — To help as many people as possible sign up for health insurance that begins on the first day of 2021, Connect for Health Colorado has decided to extend the deadline for January 1 coverage to this Friday, Dec. 18.
“Too many Coloradans have been left unemployed, uninsured and are struggling to get by as the pandemic grows,” said Chief Executive Officer Kevin Patterson. “By giving people a few extra days this week to get the coverage they need right on January 1st, we can ease some of the strain people are feeling. Financial help is available to reduce costs and local experts can also provide free enrollment assistance.”
Today, they posted a much more detailed breakout of their enrollment data so far, as well as reminding residents that unlike most states, New Jersey's Open Enrollment Period isn't over until the end of January, although they have to enroll by December 31st for coverage starting January 1st:
There's no formal press release, but Pennie, Pennsylvania's brand-new state-based ACA exchange just noted via their official Twitter account that they're extending the enrollment deadline for coverage starting January 1st by one week:
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT! We have extended the deadline! You now have until Tuesday, December 22 to select health coverage that begins New Year’s Day.
The Final Countdown; MNsure's Open Enrollment Period Ends December 22 at Midnight
ST. PAUL, Minn.—Minnesotans looking for health insurance coverage starting January 1, 2021, have until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, December 22 to enroll in coverage through MNsure.org. The federal health insurance exchange, HealthCare.gov, ends its enrollment period today, but Minnesotans have an extra week to enroll through MNsure.
"There is still time to get 2021 health care coverage through MNsure," said MNsure CEO Nate Clark. "Minnesotans have through December 22 to sign up for comprehensive health insurance and access the financial help that makes it more affordable. But, don’t wait! Visit MNsure.org today so you can be sure you’re covered in the new year."
Need help? MNsure's Contact Center will provide extended hours leading up to the deadline:
Washington Healthplanfinder Urges Customers to Act Now for Jan. 1 Health Coverage
People need to enroll in their desired 2021 health plan by midnight, Tuesday Dec. 15
Washington Healthplanfinder is urging individuals needing 2021 health and dental coverage beginning Jan. 1 that they have less than 36 hours to take action and sign up. Customers wanting coverage that starts Jan.1 must select a plan through Washington Healthplanfinder by 11:59 p.m. this Tuesday, Dec. 15.
“For those who have left this decision to the last minute, now is the time to sign up for 2021 health and dental coverage,” said the Exchange Chief Executive Officer Pam MacEwan. “There are plenty of resources available to help people understand their options and secure health insurance coverage.”
While most of the country’s Exchanges prepare to conclude their Open Enrollment Periods, Nevada Health Link remains open through January 15, 2021 to purchase 2021 coverage
Nevadans have 30 more days to get covered Nearly 72,000 Nevadans have enrolled to date
Carson City, Nev. – While most of the country prepares to conclude their open enrollment periods s this week on Dec. 15, Nevadans have an additional 30 days to enroll in health insurance coverage for 2021. Now through Jan. 15, 2021, Nevada Health Link, the online health insurance marketplace operated by the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange (Exchange), remains open and available for Nevadans to purchase comprehensive, Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliant health plans for 2021. As a State Based Exchange (SBE), Nevada Health Link makes its own decisions and is autonomous from the federal marketplace – HealthCare.gov – therefore allowing for an extended Open Enrollment Period (OEP), which is one of the many advantages to operating as a SBE.
