Deadline arrives for Obamacare coverage that starts January 1

To have coverage start at the beginning of the year, participants must be enrolled or change plans by Tuesday, Commissioner of Insurance Mike Chaney said.

The Obama administration extended the sign-up deadline by two days for Obamacare health-insurance policies that take effect in January, as heavy demand delayed some customers’ access to the federal HealthCare.gov website.

Mere hours before a deadline to begin or renew insurance coverage through HealthCare.gov for January 1, federal officials said consumers could have extra time to buy a health plan.

The federal government, however, still had to establish “waiting rooms” for a number of customers beyond that point during certain times and even asked users to hold a place in line or leave contact information.

As many as 10 million people are projected to use HealthCare.gov and state equivalents to get coverage for the coming year. However, it’s important to note that individuals who need coverage starting January 1 must sign up by the December 15 deadline.

Until tomorrow night, Tennesseans who want to enroll in quality, affordable health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace must enroll by Thursday if they want their new coverage to begin on New Year’s Day. “During this period of unprecedented traffic, HealthCare.gov remained open for business and ready to sign people up for 2016 health plans”, Lori Lodes, a spokeswoman for Health and Human Services, said in a statement. Additional information on the Essential Plan can be found at info.nystateofhealth.ny.gov/sites/default/files/Essential%20Plan%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf.

Most people eligible for enrollment qualify for tax subsidies to reduce their monthly premiums. Under the health law, the penalty will be the greater of $695 per adult or 2.5 percent of income.

Love admits cutting it close by waiting until Tuesday to choose a health plan, but she said she is glad to have gotten it done to protect herself and her bank account.