The Clock Is Counting Down On Open Enrollment

WFIU | By Alexander McCall

Published June 30, 2020 at 1:56 PM EDT

Time is running out to enroll in a health insurance plan through the federal marketplace.

Open enrollment ends Feb. 15. After that date, uninsured Americans could be subject to penalties.

And, those will be higher than they were in 2014. Penalties include either 2 percent of an individual's income or $325 per uninsured adult and $162.50 per uninsured child — whichever is more.

Here are some other details to keep in mind as the deadline approaches:

If you were enrolled through the federal marketplace in 2014, your coverage ended on Dec. 31, 2014 — no matter when your 2014 coverage began.

To continue your health coverage for 2015, you can either renew your current plan or choose a new plan through the marketplace.

If you were automatically enrolled in a plan, you can change that plan any time until Feb. 15, even if your coverage has already begun.

If you enroll by the Feb. 15 deadline, your coverage can begin as soon as March 1.

Marla Morse, an insurance marketplace specialist at Columbus Regional Health says Columbus Regional Health still has open appointments for those who have questions to meet with a health care navigator.

She says the busiest part of the enrollment period came before the first deadline on Dec. 15. Morse says a recent influx in questions has been due, in part, to Gov. Pence's announcement of federal approval of the HIP 2.0 Medicaid expansion.

The Affordable Care Act Volunteers of Monroe County are also holding sign-up events each day this week at the Monroe County Public Library. Attendees will be able to meet with a health care navigator.