ACA/ Obamacare Open Enrollment for 2017 starts on November 1, 2016 and runs until January 31, 2017. I keep hearing about coverage for $20 a month or less. What’s the deal?
We offer the following Q and A to explain:
Q: It’s now October of 2016, Can I still get affordable health insurance coverage now or can I only enroll for next year starting November 1?
A: In many cases the answer is still yes for 2016. There have been significant positive changes for 2016 enabling far more people to still get health insurance coverage after Open Enrollment.
Q: Can I still get medical insurance for the rest of 2016?
A: This depends:
If your projected 2016 income is below $23,540 (single), $32,040 (couple), $40,320 (couple + child), $48,600 (family of 4) you may qualify for Medicaid or an Essential Plan which has no enrollment limitation. Children or pregnant women – yes.
If you meet any of the “Special Enrollment Exceptions” listed below you may be eligible:
• Loss of minimum essential coverage
• Marriage or domestic partnership, birth, adoption, or placement in foster care
• Becoming a citizen, national, or lawfully present individual
• For those already enrolled in a qualified health plan, becoming newly eligible or ineligible for tax credits; or eligible for a different amount of cost sharing reductions (i.e. job loss)
The following are Not considered “Special Enrollment Exceptions” :
• Voluntarily dropping other health coverage
• Being terminated for not paying your premiums
• Losing coverage that is not coverage, in accordance with HHS guidelines
Q: What are the tax penalties for not having health insurance?
A: For tax year 2016, the penalty will jump to $695 per adult plus $347.50 per child, pro-rated, (with a maximum of $2,085 per family) or 2.5% of family income, whichever is greater.
Q: How do I get help?
A: If you require in person assistance with the ACA enrollment the Navigator program of Westchester Disabled on the Move (WDOMI), can assist you free of charge whether or not you have a disability. Call us at 1-914-968-4717 to make an appointment. Our Navigator program is licensed and certified by the State of New York.
We serve the following Westchester/Putnam locations in person:
• Putnam Community Services, 1620 Route 22, Brewster
• Putnam Workforce, 110 Old Route 6, Building 3, Carmel
• Mount Vernon Library, 28 South 1st Avenue
• Peekskill Dept. of Labor, 201 South James Street
• Westchester Disabled On the Move, 984 N Broadway, Yonkers
• White Plains One Stop, 120 Bloomingdale Rd
• Yonkers Will Library, 1500 Central Park Ave
Submitted by Rick Howie, MBA, Certified ACA Navigator.