Those Without Health Insurance Have Three Days to Enroll in
Covered California to Minimize Penalty for Being Uninsured in 2015
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — With just two days until the April 30
deadline, Covered California urged consumers on Tuesday to enroll in health
coverage and announced that more than 33,000 people who signed up since
February indicated they were unaware of the tax penalty for being uninsured. The
33,000 enrollees were among more than 91,000 consumers who enrolled in coverage
through special enrollment since open enrollment ended in February.
“For the first time in history, health care and taxes now
go hand in hand. It is heartening to see consumers recognize the value in being
covered and avoid the risks to their health and pocketbook that come from
remaining uninsured,” said Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee.
After open enrollment ended, Covered California announced
it would create a category of special enrollment to give individuals who were unaware
of the tax implications of remaining uninsured an opportunity to enroll through
April 30.
“Many consumers who just finished their taxes learned there
is a tax penalty for being uninsured,” Lee said. “If they act now, they can
avoid an even steeper penalty for tax year 2015.”
Under the Affordable Care Act, consumers may face a penalty
of $325 per adult or 2 percent of their income, whichever is greater, for lacking
health coverage in 2015.
After April 30, consumers unaware of the tax penalty can
only sign up for coverage through Covered California if they meet another
special-enrollment qualifying condition, such as having a baby, getting
married, losing their health care coverage because they have changed jobs, or
moving to another area. Medi-Cal enrollment continues year-round.
Consumers may enroll at CoveredCA.com or seek help from
Certified Insurance Agents, Certified Enrollment Counselors and county
eligibility workers to enroll. To find in-person assistance, consumers should
visit CoveredCA.com and click on the “Find Local Help” button.
About Covered California
Covered California is the state’s marketplace for the
federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Covered California, in
partnership with the California Department of Health Care Services, was charged
with creating a new health insurance marketplace in which individuals and small
businesses can get access to affordable health insurance plans. Covered
California helps individuals determine whether they are eligible for premium
assistance that is available on a sliding-scale basis to reduce insurance costs
or whether they are eligible for low-cost or no-cost Medi-Cal. Consumers can
then compare health insurance plans and choose the plan that works best for their
health needs and budget. Small businesses can purchase competitively priced
health insurance plans and offer their employees the ability to choose from an
array of plans and may qualify for federal tax credits.
Covered California is an independent part of the state
government whose job is to make the new market work for California’s consumers.
It is overseen by a five-member board appointed by the governor and the
Legislature. For more information about Covered California, please visit www.CoveredCA.com.