HHS said more than 8.2 million Americans have signed up for health coverage through the HealthCare.gov platform or had their coverage automatically renewed – with millions more selecting plans through state-run marketplaces.
At the end of the 2015 enrollment period, 18,171 North Dakotans had signed up, 55 percent of them new consumers, according to the Health Department. These numbers only include the 38 states using HealthCare.gov, so large states with their own programs, such as California and NY, are not included in this count.
While the deadline to begin receiving coverage on January 1 has passed, consumers have until January 15 to sign up for coverage to begin on February 1 and until January 31 to get coverage, which begins on March 1, at all for 2016.
Nationally, more than 8.2 million people signed up for coverage by December 19.
“Millions of Americans will start 2016 with the quality and affordable health coverage they want and need to keep their families healthy and financially secure”, said HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell.
With the number of people enrolling for health insurance coverage increasing in the third year of the Affordable Care Act’s marketplaces – including a higher share of young people – some health-care industry analysts say the controversial tax penalties may be a factor.
Consumers should visit HealthCare.gov orCuidadodeSalud.gov to review their coverage options, learn about what financial assistance is available, or to sign up or re-enroll in a plan that best meets their needs. In 2016 the penalty for not having qualified coverage more than doubles to $695 per adult and $347.50 per child up to $2,085 for a family, or 2.5 percent of household income, whichever is greater. That’s up from $325 per person or 2 percent of household income this year.
Date: December 26, 2015