Helpful links
Make an appointment with a Houston-area enrollment counselor: Enroll Gulf Coast
National enrollment website Healthcare.gov or call (800) 318-2596
Find a licensed insurance broker or agent: National Association of Health Underwriters zip code search.
Today is the deadline for uninsured individuals and families to shop for plans on the Affordable Care Act marketplace, healthcare.gov.
Federal officials warn there will not be any extensions or “special enrollment periods” in 2016, as there were the previous two years.
Uninsured individuals who do not enroll by January 31 will not be able to re-enroll until the end of this year, for plans that begin January 1, 2017.
There are still an estimated 10 million people in the U.S. who are eligible for the marketplace insurance plans, but have not yet purchased any insurance.
The marketplace offers federal subsidies to pay for the private insurance plans, to individuals and families that make up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level.
The penalty in 2016 for not having insurance has increased to $695 per adult and $347.50 per child (up to $2,085 for a family), or it’s 2.5% of your household income above the tax return filing threshold for your filing status — whichever is greater.
Some people may qualify for an exception from the penalty; to get the exception, you still need to apply for coverage and be denied through healthcare.gov.