Open Enrollment Starts Today!

Health Insurance Enrollment through the Health Insurance Marketplace opens today! While those who had some qualifying event (for example, the loss of a job, death in the family, or divorce) were able to enroll before now, anyone who doesn't currently have health insurance is now able to enroll through Healthcare.gov. Open enrollment continues through February 15, 2015.

A few things to keep in mind:

• If you can afford healthcare and choose not to buy it, most people must now pay a penalty when they submit their 2014 taxes in April. Healthcare.gov has a page dedicated to fees and exemptions that explains everything in detail.
• If you already purchased health insurance through the Marketplace last year, it's likely you'll be automatically re-enrolled in your existing plan or a similar plan if you do nothing this year. However, you can always log in to Healthcare.gov and switch plans if you want to. For information on keeping or changing your plan, visit this page.
• While open enrollment continues through February 15, 2015, if you want coverage to start on January 1, 2015, you must enroll by December 15, 2014.

For more information, including links to application forms, visit our updated page on the Affordable Care Act.

Also, don't forget that Certified Application Counselors from Grace Hill Health Centers will be on hand at Central Library, 1301 Olive St., from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Monday through the end of open enrollment. No reservations or appointments are required; just stop by with your questions!