I’ve been a mite busy the past few days as I’m sure y’all can understand. I’m not gonna rehash the #TexasFoldEm ACA repeal decision; there’s been a bunch of diaries by others about it, so I’m assuming most of you understand the basics. If you don’t, here’s the diary I wrote warning about it here back in September.
Instead, given that time is of the essence, I’m just gonna announce that both Covered California and Access Health CT have announced ACA enrollment extensions!
Connecticut’s ACA exchange, Access Health CT, was originally scheduled to have the same deadline as the 39 states covered by HealthCare.Gov (namely, December 15th).
However, just hours before midnight they announced that they’re extending their deadline out by a full month:
ACCESS HEALTH CT EXTENDS 2019 HEALTH INSURANCE OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD
Extension ends January 15, 2019
- Access Health CT has extended the 2019 health insurance Open Enrollment period until January 15, 2019.
- If customers are already covered by an insurance plan through Access Health CT for January 2019, and would like to pick a new plan starting in February 2019, they must pay their January monthly bill (premium).
- If individuals choose a plan after December 15, 2018, the coverage for this plan will start on February 1, 2019.
- Last night’s ruling by a federal district court judge in Texas does not affect the ability for Connecticut residents to sign up for and use 2019 health insurance plans through Access Health CT.
- Today’s call center hours are from 8 a.m. until midnight; 1-855-805-4325 (TTY 1-855-789-2428).
Meanwhile, the deadline for California’s exchange (Covered CA) was already January 15th, but the deadline to enroll for coverage starting on January 1st was originally today. They just extended that deadline out by five more days:
Covered California Extends Deadline for Jan. 1 Coverage Until Friday, Dec. 21
- Texas District Court’s ruling on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act has no impact on Covered California’s open enrollment period.
- Covered California is extending today’s deadline to Friday, Dec 21, for consumers who want health care coverage that starts on Jan. 1, 2019.
- Consumers who enroll after Dec. 21, and by Jan. 15, will have their coverage start on Feb. 1.
- While open enrollment ends in 44 states on Saturday, California is one of seven health insurance marketplaces which will enroll consumers after Dec. 15, serving 25 percent of the U.S. population.
- 58,000 consumers have signed up since Monday, including 17,000 on Friday.
Meanwhile, six other states already also had enrollment deadlines beyond yesterday:
- In Colorado, open enrollment runs through Jan. 15, 2019.
- If you enroll by Dec. 15th, your coverage will start Jan. 1st, 2019.
- If you enroll between Dec. 16th - Jan. 15th, coverage will start Feb. 1st, 2019.
- In the District of Columbia and New York, open enrollment runs through Jan. 31st, 2019.
- If you enroll by Dec. 15th, your coverage will start Jan. 1st, 2019.
- If you enroll between Dec. 16th - Jan. 15th, coverage will start Feb. 1st, 2019.
- If you enroll between Jan. 16th - Jan. 31st, coverage will start Mar. 1st, 2019
- In Massachusetts, open enrollment runs through Jan. 23rd, 2019.
- If you enroll by Dec. 23rd, your coverage will start Jan. 1st, 2019.
- If you enroll between Dec. 24th - Jan. 23rd, coverage will start Feb. 1st, 2019.
- In Minnesota, open enrollment runs through Jan. 13th, 2019.
- If you enroll by Dec. 15th, your coverage will start Jan. 1st, 2019.
- If you enroll between Dec. 16th - Jan. 13th, coverage will start Feb. 1st, 2019.
- In Rhode Island, open enrollment runs through Dec. 31st, 2018.
- If you enroll by Dec. 23rd, your coverage will start Jan. 1st, 2019.
- If you enroll between Dec. 24th - Dec. 31st, coverage will start Feb. 1st, 2019.
Oh yeah...and if you do live in five of these states, you may even qualify for a FREE (as in, $0 premium) Bronze ACA policy:
- California: 174,000 people
- Colorado: 34,000 people
- Connecticut: 22,000 people
- Massachusetts: 8,800 people
- Rhode Island: 3,900 people
As for the other 43 states, you still have a 60-day Special Enrollment Period if you or anyone in your household...
- Lose qualifying health coverage
NOTE: This includes anyone whose current ACA policy is terminated as of 12/31/18 without them being “crosswalked” over to a similar policy
- Gets married
- Gives birth
- Gains/becomes a dependent
- Gets divorced or legally separated and lose health insurance as a result
- Dies (if someone in your household loses coverage due to someone else passing away)
- Changes your primary place of living (if you move out of your current rating area)
- Have a change in income in the past 60 days (some situations only)
- Are denied Medicaid/CHIP
- Gains citizenship or lawful presence in the U.S.
- Are released from incarceration (detention, jail, or prison)
- Are a member of a federally recognized tribe, or an Alaska Native corporation shareholder
I’ll keep analyzing/educating people about healthcare data & helping fight Republican efforts to sabotage healthcare coverage, but I need help to do so! If you find my work at ACA Signups of value, please consider supporting it on a recurring basis via Patreon or one-time via GoFundMe, thank you!