If you’re considering purchasing or modifying your individual or family health insurance plan through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for 2018, you must act quickly. The open enrollment period wraps up this Friday, December 15th.
The ACA, often referred to as Obamacare, allows individuals to enroll in health insurance via their state’s health insurance exchange or individual marketplace only during this annual window. The only exceptions to this rule are if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period due to major life changes—such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child—or if you qualify for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
To check your eligibility and begin the signup process, visit Healthcare.gov. For those who wish to explore available plans and pricing before making a decision, you can do so here. Keep in mind that any plans selected during the open enrollment will take effect on January 1, 2018. To assist you further, there is a helpful instructional video on the signup process.
This year’s enrollment period is notably shorter than in previous years, lasting just 45 days. Eligible participants have had since November 1st to sign up, compared to nearly three months in past years. A few states have extended their enrollment periods, which you can check here to see if your state qualifies.
A significant reduction in funding for outreach efforts has been noted this year as well. The Trump administration has slashed promotional and advertising budgets by 90%, from $100 million to just $10 million. Additionally, funding for “navigators,” who assist people with enrollment, has been cut by 41%. As reported by CNN, outreach from navigators is particularly crucial in the final days of enrollment, as it tends to drive a surge in sign-ups, especially among younger individuals.
You must enroll in the ACA if you lack health insurance from another source—such as an employer or your spouse’s employer—do not have government coverage like Medicare or Medicaid, are over 26 and no longer covered by a parent’s health plan, and if you qualify for tax credits that can help subsidize your health insurance costs.
Currently, over 20 million individuals benefit from the two main components of Barack Obama’s healthcare law—expanded Medicaid and subsidized private health insurance. The ACA aims to decrease the number of uninsured individuals and ensure access to affordable and decent coverage for all.
If you haven’t yet enrolled, now is the time to prioritize your health coverage. For more information on family planning options, including pregnancy resources, you might find this post on home insemination interesting. You can also learn more about family-building options at Resolve.org, an excellent resource on the topic. For expert insights, check out Modern Family Blog.
Summary:
The ACA open enrollment period ends on December 15th. If you need to sign up or change your health insurance for 2018, act fast. This year’s enrollment is shorter, and funding for promotional efforts has drastically decreased. Ensure you understand your eligibility and explore your options now to secure the coverage you need.