New Year’s Day 2014 marked an important milestone for the problem-plagued Affordable Care Act (ACA, a.k.a. Obamacare or health care reform). Many of the laws and insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act finally went into effect nationwide.
But beyond just signing up for a new health plan, there are a number of deadlines this year and next that you must remember after finding coverage. Here, Real Health focuses on five dates spotlighted by the Wall Street Journal on their latest Obamacare Calendar, as well as some legal pointers about health insurance enrollment through 2015.
January 1 2014: This is when new health exchange plans supposedly went into effect. But before you make a doctor’s appointment, or fill your prescriptions, make sure you check in with your insurer directly to make sure you are, in fact, covered. Ask questions about potential subsidies you may be eligible for and get confirmation of your coverage in writing (i.e. via email printout, etc.) to avoid any potential confusion with your providers in the first few months.
January 10 2014: This is the date that most consumers will have to pay their first insurance premiums for health plans that kicked in on January 1st. Those under America’s Health Insurance Plans (this includes most major insurers) will get retroactive coverage if they pay by this due date. Important: To avoid late fees and ensure your coverage, verify the deadline with your insurer if you’re not sure.
March 31, 2014: This is the end of the open-enrollment period for signing up for a health insurance plan. After this date, you will only be able to get covered under certain conditions, such as if you lose your employer-provided plan in the middle of the year. If you don’t sign up for insurance by this date, you could get hit with a financial penalty.
November 15, 2014: This date marks the start of open enrollment for 2015 insurance plans. If you want to switch your 2014 plan, this is the date you can do it. The window for 2015 coverage will remain open until January 15, 2015.
April 15, 2015: When you file your income tax, include proof that you had an insurance plan in 2014 to avoid the penalty fee. In addition, make sure you keep a close watch on any insurance subsidies you are eligible for, as many will show up as tax credits tied to your income. You’ll be able to choose whether or not you want these credits and monthly payments from your insurer over the year, or a lump sum at the end of the year.
For more information about the health reform roll-out, click here.
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