Unless you move, marry, divorce, lose your job, have a baby, or experience any other event that qualifies you for a special enrollment period, February 15 is the last day you can enroll in a health insurance plan under the Affordable Care Act (ACA, or Obamacare) and obtain premium subsidies or reduced costs you may be income-qualified to receive.
You still will be able to buy health insurance after February 15 to avoid or minimize income tax penalties, but not through the ACA’s Marketplace. This means that after February 15 you will not be eligible for a premium tax credit to help pay for your insurance or cost-sharing to reduce deductibles and co-payments you might be income-qualified to receive.
If you are uninsured for more than three months in 2015, you may be liable for a monetary penalty when you file your 2015 income tax return in 2016. The minimum individual shared responsibility payment for 2015 is $325 per person (half that for children under 18).
Get Covered Illinois has trained and licensed dozens of Health Insurance Navigators who can help you understand your health insurance options and assist you with enrollment. You can find a Navigator through the “Get Help” tab at the Get Covered Illinois website, or call the Moraine Township Office at 847-432-3240 to make an appointment to meet with a Navigator. This service is free and available to anyone who lives in Illinois.
Medicaid enrollments are accepted year round, and Moraine Township is also available to assist residents with Medicaid enrollment all year.