2019 Obamacare Open Enrollment

2019 Obamacare Open Enrollment Is Here! Compare Carriers and Find the Right Coverage for You and Your Family Members.

2019 Obamacare Open Enrollment

Obamacare Open Enrollment to protect family members

Enroll In 2019 Obamacare and Get Full Year Coverage

The Affordable Care Act (also known as ACA or Obamacare), allows individuals to buy qualifying health plans through government-operated exchanges (marketplaces) or in the private health marketplaces. You can apply for available tax credits and subsidies through your state or federal exchange; but you can only purchase personal coverage on the government exchanges during open enrollment periods or when you have a qualifying life event.

If you want to apply for coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace or your state’s health insurance exchange, you can apply for it via several ways:

Online here
By phone
Get in-person help from a counselor
Contact an agent or broker here
Fill out a paper application

Enrolling online is the easiest way to compare multiple Obamacare plans thus saving you time and money. Enter your zip code in the above quote box to compare open enrollment plans now.

2019 Obamacare Open Enrollment Dates and Deadlines

The 2019 Obamacare Open Enrollment period is scheduled from

Thursday, November 1, 2018 to Saturday, December 15, 2018.

States’ Enrollment Periods That Differ from the National OEP:

California:	October 15, 2018 – January 15, 2019
Colorado:	November 1, 2018 – January 15, 2019
District of Columbia:	November 1, 2018 – January 31, 2019
Massachusetts:	November 1, 2018 – January 23, 2019
Minnesota:	November 1, 2018 – January 13, 2019
New York:	November 1, 2018 – January 31, 2019
Rhode Island:	November 1, 2018 – January 31, 2019

What Has Changed to 2019 Obamacare Open Enrollment

There are plenty of things that have changed regarding how ACA operates for the 2018-2019 coverage year:

The ACA tax penalty no longer exists starting Tuesday, Jan.1st, 2019, but there are still some states that are implementing their own individual mandate. Check here to see if your state is included.
If you don’t qualify for an Affordable Healthcare Act (ACA) tax credit, you may save money by purchasing a plan directly, either through a health insurance provider, from an agent, or through EINSURANCE.
Obamacare rates may decline in some states for the first time in many years. Check Obamacare Facts to review state details and see how much rates are expected to change in the coming 2019 open enrollment period.
ACA 2019 will give states the options to extend the current 90-day limits on short-term, basic coverage plans to 12 months. Although it provides opportunities for low cost insurance coverage, it may also increase the amount of “junk” health plans that ultimately undermine consumer protections as well. Thus, be cautious when you shop health plans.

How to Save On 2019 Obamacare Open Enrollment?

Even with the many new revisions to the 2019 affordable care act in the health marketplace, there are still several ways to help ensure you receive good, affordable insurance.

1. Meet 2019 Obamacare Open Enrollment Deadlines.

The 2019 open enrollment only lasts 45 days. Most people need to enroll between November 1st, 2018 and December 15th, 2018 to get full year coverage starting January 1st, 2019. If you live in a state that runs its own exchange, please make sure to find out your deadlines and enroll on time.

2. Check to See If You Qualify for Tax Credits.

Those who are uninsured aren’t always aware they can get financial assistance when buying on the exchanges to help offset insurance premium costs. Many who buy on the individual market qualify for ACA subsidies, according to a Commonwealth Fund report. Make sure to find out if you qualify for financial assistance before you enroll.

3. Shop Around Multiple Plans Before You Make A Final Decision

To qualify for tax credits you must be on a marketplace policy. Also, keep in mind that cost-sharing assistance is only available with a silver plan. Don’t just keep the policy you have in 2018, because tax credit rates might change. If your marketplace doesn’t offer an insurer for 2018, you can buy on the private market, but you won’t be eligible for a premium reduction.

4. Get Help from Online Resources

Deciding which insurance plan is right for you can seem daunting. It gets complicated, so get the help you need to enroll and compare plans. You can use our free online quote service to help you compare multiple plans in just one click. Also, don’t forget to check our 2019 Obamacare Open Enrollment Guide.

What If You Miss The 2019 Obamacare Open Enrollment?

1. Get Short Term Health Insurance

Short term health insurance covers the policy holder for up to 12 months now, which is ideal for some who are looking for coverage to fill a gap between regular policies. You can check more details in our article Miss the Obamacare Deadline? Short Term Health Insurance Might Just Be What You Need.

However, because this kind of policy is not ACA-compliant, they don’t include coverage for pre-existing conditions. Keep this in mind if you do have pre-existing conditions.

2. Apply During Special Enrollment Period (SEP)

Special Enrollment Period (SEP) requires that you have experienced a life-changing event that kept you from applying during Open Enrollment Period.

You may be allowed to enroll in an ACA plan during the Special Enrollment Period if you:

Got married
Had a baby, adopted a child or became a foster parent
Got divorced or became legally separated and lost health coverage
Lost your job and are no longer covered
Lost or will lose COBRA coverage
Lost or will lose eligibility for Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
Lost or will lose eligibility for Medicare
Someone on your plan has died
Moved to an area that requires you to enroll from a different plan than the one you had
Have been diagnosed with a major medical condition, were temporarily incapacitated, or experienced a natural disaster that kept you from enrolling during Open Enrollment
Are a victim of domestic abuse or violence, or spousal abandonment
Couldn’t enroll because a human error by an ACA enrollment representative or a technical error on the website

Keep in mind that to qualify for SEP due to loss of health coverage you must have lost coverage within the past 60 days or expect to lose coverage in the next 60 days because of the qualifying event. For unanticipated qualifying events, you must apply within 60 days of the occurrence.

If you want to know more on ACA Special Enrollment Period, visit our article ACA Special Enrollment Period: Do You Qualify?