Open Enrollment for 2016 health insurance plans:
We are in the middle of the Open Enrollment Period for 2016 health insurance plans. It’s the designated period when anyone can enroll in a 2016 insurance plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
The deadline to enroll for health insurance coverage that begins on January 1, 2016 is December 17, 2015. 
January 15, 2016 is the last day to enroll or change plans if you want coverage to start on February 1, 2016. On January 31, 2016 Open Enrollment ends. Enrollments or changes that took place between January 16 and January 31 will take effect March 1. If you don’t enroll in a health insurance plan by January 31, you won’t be able to enroll in a health insurance plan for the year 2016 unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
A Special Enrollment Period is a time outside of the Open Enrollment Period during which you and your family may be eligible to enroll in an insurance plan. You qualify for Special Enrollment for 60 days following certain life events that change your family status, such as marriage or the birth of a child, or loss of other health care coverage.
If you can afford health care coverage, but choose not to buy it, you will have to pay a fee. This is officially called the individual shared responsibility payment. You will owe the fee for any month you, or anyone in your family, don’t have health insurance.
For more information about any of the deadlines, the Health Insurance Marketplace, or minimum essential coverage, call or email us at Your Insurance Gal. We can answer your questions and help you get your family covered!
