QuoteWizard Helps Consumers Navigate 2016 Health Care Open Enrollment
Seattle, WA (PRWEB) November 02, 2015 -- The “open enrollment” period that allows Americans to buy health coverage through the federally mandated Health Insurance Marketplace starts on Sunday, Nov. 1.
That’s an important date to keep in mind. Why? People who don’t get health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace or their employers between Nov. 1 of this year and Jan. 31, 2016, probably won’t be able to sign up for a plan until the next open enrollment period rolls around late next year.
Here are a few other dates and details to take note of during this open enrollment period:
• To be able to access health coverage on Jan. 1, complete the enrollment process by Dec. 15.
• Miss that deadline and fail to enroll until sometime between Dec. 16 and Jan. 15, and coverage will kick in on Feb. 1.
• Wait until the end of the enrollment period (Jan. 16 through Jan. 31) to sign up for a plan and 2016 coverage won’t begin until March 1.
What happens to those who miss the enrollment period completely? They’ll only be able to get 2016 coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace if they qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. (Unless they gain access to health insurance through an employer.) And for that to happen, certain life events--like getting married or having a baby—must have kept the consumer in question from buying it during open enrollment.
That’s not the only reason to sign up for health coverage via the Health Insurance Marketplace between Nov. 1, 2015, and Jan. 31, 2016. Another reason: folks who miss that window and don’t qualify for an exemption have to pay a fee that could add up to $695 per person or 2.5 percent of their yearly household income, whichever is greater.
QuoteWizard can help with this often daunting process. The Seattle-based company connects consumers with licensed health insurance professionals who can answer their questions. QuoteWizard also helps consumers compare quotes from these carriers so they can get the best rates for the amount and type of coverage they need.
About QuoteWizard
QuoteWizard is a leading marketing and technology company in the insurance lead industry. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Seattle, QuoteWizard is privately held and has over 140 employees.
Inc. Magazine has featured QuoteWizard on its Inc. 5000 list every year since 2010. Also, the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City has named the company on its Inner City 100 list for the last three years, while the Puget Sound Business Journal has included QuoteWizard on its Fastest-Growing Private Companies in Washington list four out of the last six years. Deloitte singled out QuoteWizard in its Technology Fast 500 in 2012, 2013, and 2014.
Adam Johnson, QuoteWizard, http://quotewizard.com, +1 (206) 753-2766, [email protected]
Share this article