Reminder: Gov Healthcare Deadline Is Dec. 15

Reminder: Gov Healthcare Deadline Is Dec. 15

This is Kane County government talking, not the state or the feds, but as a courtesy and a reminder to Kane County residents, there’s an important deadline coming up for folks enrolled in the Marketplace healthcare system, also commonly referred to as the Affordable Care Act.

If you bought a health insurance plan through the Marketplace in 2014, you can renew or change plans for 2015 — but you have to take action by Dec. 15, 2014, so any changes or updates to your coverage take effect Jan. 1, 2015.

“It’s important that you log into your Marketplace account, update your information for 2015, and see all the plans and prices available to you this year,” healthcare.gov says. “You may find plans that cost less, cover more services that are important to you, or work better for you and your family. By updating your information, you’ll be sure to get the right savings for 2015.”

If you need help, the Kane County Health Department suggests these resources:

Per Healthcare.gov, here are 5 Steps to Staying Covered through the Marketplace:

STEP 1: REVIEW (PLANS CHANGE, PEOPLE CHANGE.)

Every year, insurance companies can make changes to premiums, cost-sharing, or the benefits and services they provide. Review your plan’s 2015 coverage to make sure it still meets your needs and you’re getting the best plan for you.

STEP 2: UPDATE

Go to HealthCare.gov and log into your Marketplace account. Answer a few questions to get to your 2015 application – it will be pre-filled with your latest information from 2014. Step through each page of your application and make changes if you need to. This is important – even if none of your information has changed, you might be eligible for lower costs than last year! You also can call the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596 to review or make updates over the phone.

STEP 3: COMPARE

Log into your Marketplace account and follow the “Enroll To Do List” on HealthCare.gov to compare 2015 plan costs and benefits. New and more affordable plans may be available in your area this year. If you decide to stay in your current plan, follow the directions to search by that plan’s 14-digit ID – you can find the ID on the letter from your plan. Or, call the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596 for help.

STEP 4: CHOOSE

Choose a health plan for 2015. You can keep the same plan (as long as it’s still offered) or select a new one that better fits your needs. If you want to stay enrolled in your 2014 plan, use the plan ID in the letter you get from your health plan.

 

STEP 5: ENROLL

Stay covered for 2015! Contact your plan to confirm your enrollment. Make sure to pay your premium.