Marketplace open for individuals to join 53,872 Utahns signed up for health insurance; deadline approaches

 

ST. GEORGE — Heading into the final days before the Dec. 15 deadline for Jan. 1, 2016, coverage, more than 2.8 million consumers selected a plan in the healthcare.gov platform as of Dec. 5, including 53,872 in Utah. This includes both new consumers and consumers returning to shop for private health insurance plans sold on healthcare.gov.

“I am pleased with the strong start to this year’s open enrollment,” Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell said.

While we have more work to do, more than 1 million new consumers have signed up for affordable quality coverage in the 38 states that use healthcare.gov. And existing marketplace customers who have returned and shopped for a more affordable plan are paying less in premiums this year than they were paying last year. Time is running out to sign up for a health plan that begins on Jan. 1. With less than a week remaining before the Dec. 15 deadline, we urge consumers to visit healthcare.gov and get enrolled.

Open enrollment for 2016 health coverage at healthcare.gov began Nov. 1 and runs through Jan. 31, 2016. However, it’s important to note that individuals who need coverage starting Jan. 1, 2016, must sign up by the Dec. 15 deadline.

Having health insurance when you can afford it is now the law. If someone chooses not to buy health insurance and could afford to do so, they are at risk of paying a fee of $695 or more.

Consumers should visit healthcare.gov or cuidadodesalud.gov to review their coverage options, learn about what financial assistance is available or to sign up or re-enroll in a plan that best meets their needs.

Five facts about open enrollment in Utah:

  1. Since open enrollment began Nov. 1, 53,872 Utah consumers have selected a plan in the Federally Facilitated Marketplace
  2. Plans for 2016 are affordable, 77 percent of Utah enrollees can find plans for $75 or less a month in premiums after tax credits; nationwide, about 8 out of 10 people who enroll in health coverage through healthcare.gov qualify for financial help to make their monthly premiums more affordable
  3. For 2016, 90 percent of returning Utah healthcare.gov consumers could save an average of $723 annually in premiums before tax credits for a plan in the same level of coverage by returning to shop
  4. When Utah customers visit healthcare.gov, they’ll find a variety of quality health coverage options available; for 2016, Utah consumers can choose from five issuers and an average of 70 plans
  5. Free confidential enrollment help is available if people in Utah have questions or want to talk through their options with a trained professional
  6. Representatives at the 24-hour call center are available every day at 1-800-318-2596; call center representatives can answer questions and help people enroll in coverage over the phone

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @STGnews

Free News Delivery by Email

Would you like to have the day's news stories delivered right to your inbox every evening? Enter your email below to start!

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.