Over 45,000 people in Montana have signed up for health insurance through the federal marketplace, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Approaching the latest deadline to sign up during the open enrollment period, federal health officials reported that 45,278 Montana residents have gained coverage under the Affordable Care Act since Nov. 15.
This Thursday marks the second open enrollment deadline for the 2015 Health Insurance Marketplace. People must sign up before Jan. 15 to ensure coverage starting on Feb. 1. Residents who want coverage at all in 2015 must sign up for a plan before Feb. 15. Those who do not have health coverage in 2015 face a fee, which will be higher than in 2014. The fee is 2 percent of a person’s income or $325 per adult and $162.50 per child.
“For those who are thinking about getting health coverage, take a look at your options on HealthCare.gov or contact the call center. If you don’t enroll by February 15, then you may have to wait until next year to sign up for affordable coverage,” stated U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell.
In the first month, 85 percent of Montana consumers who signed up were eligible for financial assistance, according to the DHHS.
Since open enrollment began on Nov. 15, nearly 6.8 million consumers selected a plan or were automatically re-enrolled in the Federally Facilitated Marketplace.
In 2014, about 30,000 people in the state gained health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. Nearly 17 percent of people in the state remain uninsured.
Visit Montanahealthanswers.com for help.
Five Tips for Consumers:
- Deadline is fast approaching. Open enrollment is ending soon. The deadline to apply for coverage starting on Feb. 1, 2015 is this Thursday, Jan. 15. The final open enrollment deadline to sign up for 2015 coverage is Feb. 15. If people miss that deadline, they will likely have to wait to sign up for coverage until the next open enrollment season, with coverage starting in 2016.
- Enrolling in coverage is easier than ever. This year, the consumer experience at HealthCare.gov is simpler, faster and more intuitive. It is easy to shop; no log-in or application is required to see the plans in your area and find out how much financial help may be available.
- More choices are available this year. More than 90 percent of consumers will be able to choose from three or more issuers — up from 74 percent in 2014, according to health officials. That means that consumers can choose from an average of 40 health plans in their county for 2015 coverage — up from 30 in 2014.
- Financial assistance is available. According to health officials, 85 percent of Montanans who selected 2015 plans through HealthCare.gov in the first month of open enrollment are getting financial assistance to lower their premiums. Nationally, eight out of 10 people can find coverage for $100 or less a month with tax credits through the marketplace, according to DHHS.
- Help is available.
- Online: Information is available at HealthCare.gov.
- By Phone: Marketplace call center representatives are available to help all day, every day at 1-800-318-2596. TTY users should call 1-855-889-4325. Assistance is available in 150 languages. The call is free.