The Countdown Is On To Nov. 15 Enrollment
News outlets are reminding consumers that the health law's second open-enrollment season will begin Saturday, and that they can already begin "window-shopping." In addition, there are a lot of details for consumers and employers to pay attention to.
Arizona Central-Republic:
Outreach Aims To Help Uninsured With Affordable Care Act
A second deadline to apply for health insurance is quickly approaching and anyone that wishes to have coverage kick in by the new year must apply by Dec. 15. (Soules, 11/10)
The Fiscal Times:
Obamacare 2015: Low Premium Increases, High Deductibles
Obamacare’s second open enrollment begins this Saturday and consumers can already start window-shopping for health policies sold on the federal exchange, Healthcare.gov. (Ehley, 11/11)
The Associated Press:
Health Insurance Enrollment Opens Nov. 15
Reaching the uninsured may prove more difficult the second time around as the second enrollment season under the Affordable Care Act kicks off Saturday. Florida Health officials are feeling the pressure to re-enroll nearly 1 million Floridians plus recruit new enrollees who sat out the first year — all in half the time. The three-month enrollment period begins Nov. 15. (Kennedy, 11/10)
Kaiser Health News:
Consumer Guide On Health Law Enrollment: Is The Second Time The Charm?
Haven’t thought about the health care law for a while? Now’s the time. Passed in 2010, the law requires most Americans to have health insurance or pay a fine. While many Americans get health coverage through their employers, starting Nov. 15 consumers who currently have insurance through the federal or state online marketplaces, or exchanges, set up by the law can reenroll. In addition, people who still need health insurance can sign up. Subsidies are available to help many people afford coverage, and some states have expanded their Medicaid programs as part of the law. (Carey, 11/11)
Kaiser Health News:
How Employers Are Getting Ready For Open Enrollment
Some large employers will face penalties if they don’t offer workers health insurance in 2015. In addition, workers can expect to see increased cost-sharing and employers pushing them to “private exchanges” to save money. Kaiser Health News' Mary Agnes Carey and Jay Hancock discuss some of the issues you need to know before open enrollment in the health law’s marketplaces begins again on November 15 (11/11).
Kaiser Health News:
Pay Close Attention To The Enrollment Calendar To Avoid Penalties
Mind the gap. When the 2015 open enrollment period begins on Nov. 15 for plans sold on the individual market, consumers should act promptly to avoid a gap in coverage. Failing to do so could not only leave you exposed to unexpected medical bills—hello, appendicitis!—but you could also be hit with the penalty for not having health insurance that kicks in if you’re without coverage for three months or more during the year. The coverage requirement applies to most people in group and individual plans unless they qualify for a hardship or other type of exemption. (Andrews, 11/11)
In the background, the Supreme Court's decision to hear a case regarding the overhaul's insurance subsidies continues to reverberate -
NBC News:
A Court Case And A New Congress: What's Next For Obamacare?
The newest round of open enrollment under the Affordable Care Act begins in less than a week, just as the law comes under a new threat with the Supreme Court’s decision that it will hear a new challenge questioning its government subsidies. The case raises the stakes for Healthcare.gov too; the last thing the Obama administration needs is a repeat of last year’s embarrassing technical glitches. (Todd, Murray and Dann, 11/10)