You may have heard that the deadline for sign-up and renewal of Health insurance under the Affordable Care Act is today. But don’t panic if you haven’t renewed yet, that deadline is for states using the federal website.
While the deadline for signing up or renewing for health insurance is December 15th, that is in states using the federal Healthcare website only. Here in Washington State, we have a little more time. Bethany Frey with the Washington Health Benefit Exchange, who says the deadline for renewal and first time sign up is December 23rd, next Tuesday.
Frey: "We currently have 130,000 people enrolled for 2014 coverage. We've had about 45,000 come back and renew, so we need to make sure people know there is a deadline even if they are renewing, but traditionally we know wait until there is a deadline and take a that action.”
Frey says those renewing have to give some information on their income status, and can either continue with their current policy or shop via the website for a new plan. She says the cost of the plans has gone up by about 3 percent, which is considered to be a very minor increase. If those trying to renew or sign up for the first time don’t meet the December 23rd deadline, they can still sign up, but won’t be eligible for coverage for January.
She says they have capacity of the state’s healthcare website has been improved to the extant they don’t anticipate any problems with the increased traffic causing any problems. The health exchange’s customer phone line is also available for assistance at 1-855-923-4633.
