Miss the Marketplace deadline? Here’s what you need to know
Terry Burke
| 2 min read
Terry Burke, vice president, individual business, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, leads and oversees the individual market business for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, the state’s largest health insurer. He is a 30-year veteran of the insurance industry.
As of March 31, 2014, the health insurance Marketplace has closed. Many Michiganders took advantage of the Marketplace, and available subsidies, to find affordable coverage for themselves and their families. If you did not participate in the Marketplace but still have questions about getting health insurance, there are a few things you need to know. The next open enrollment period for coverage in 2015 starts Nov.15, 2014 and runs through Feb.15, 2015. If you currently don’t have coverage, and you’re not Medicaid eligible, the only way you can get coverage before open enrollment is if you have a qualifying life event. Visit Healthcare.gov for more information on what events may qualify. You can also get coverage through Medicaid, but there are restrictions. If you are between the ages of 19-64, have an income at or below 133 percent of federal poverty level and don’t qualify for Medicare, you might be qualified for coverage under the Healthy Michigan Plan. At the end of 2014, if you do not have health insurance, there could be a penalty of $95 per adult (up to $285 per family) or 1 percent of family income, whichever is greater. To make sure you get coverage next year, I encourage you to start doing your research now about what health insurance options are available to you. We have a number of resources to help you, from our Health Care Reform Basics website, to an ongoing conversation about the ACA on this blog.
