Have you been hit with a tax penalty for not enrolling last year? If so, then you’ll now be able to sign up for 2015 plans through a new “Special Enrollment Period” from March 15-April 30, according to a new announcement by the federal government.
Who can apply during this time?
In order to be eligible for this special enrollment period, you must have all of the following:
- Have not enrolled in a 2015 plan yet (plan changes are not permitted) AND
- You’re required to pay a tax penalty in 2014 AND
- You were unaware or didn’t understand that the health care law required you and your household to have health coverage
This special open enrollment period ends on April 30 at 12 midnight EST
- Enrollments submitted on March 15 will have coverage effective April 1.
- Enrollments submitted between March 16 and April 15 will have coverage effective May 1.
- Enrollments submitted between April 16 and April 30 will have coverage effective June 1.
If you enroll during this late enrollment period you would typically incur a small fine for not having coverage at the beginning of 2015, however that penalty will be waived when you file your 2015 taxes in 2016.
When is the deadline?
March 15 – April 30 for most states, but some have slightly different deadlines. Here are the official enrollment periods announced by each state (as of March 11 @ 11am EST):
- California: February 23rd – April 30th
- Connecticut: April 1st – April 30th
- Kentucky: March 2nd – April 30th
- Minnesota: March 1st – April 30th
- New York: March 1st – April 30th
- Vermont: February 16 – May 31st
- Washington State: February 17 – April 17
- Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts: NO TAX SEASON ENROLLMENT PERIOD
- ALL OTHER STATES: March 15th – April 30th