Enrollment to obtain health insurance through the healthcare marketplace, known as Obamacare, ends on January 31. This is the only time of year you can enroll in a new plan, switch plans or adjust your level of cost assistance without incurring extra fees. Open enrollment for state health insurance marketplaces also ends on January 31.
If you have not finished purchasing a health insurance planor switching plans during this time, you can get an exemption, which will prevent you from having to pay associated fees for not having coverage. All individuals must have insurance coverage for at least 10 full months of the calendar year.
Even those who selected a plan in 2015 need to renew for 2016 in order to ensure they maintain coverage. Some states offer auto-renewal options, but other states don’t. West Virginia is an auto-renewal state, however it may be worth looking at your plan since in late 2015 another insurance provider joined the state marketplace, which previously only had one health insurance provider.
For 2016, CareSource will be offering plans in 10 counties, including Brooke, Cabell, Hancock, Kanawha, Lincoln, Marshall, Mason, Ohio, Putnam, and Wayne.
West Virginia is also one of the states that expanded Medicaid and CHIP plans under the ACA, and Medicaid-qualified individuals can enroll at any time during the year without penalty.
If you have been the target of workplace harassment, discrimination or unfair termination, Bouchillon, Crossan & Colburn, L.C. represents clients in federal court and before the EEOC, MSPB and in state and union grievance hearings.
Our attorneys have more than 40 years dedicated to giving clients the attention, advice, support and empowerment they need to effectively meet their goals. We are committed to the principle that all persons shall have equal justice under the law. Call Bouchillon, Crossan & Colburn, L.C. at 304-523-8451 or contact us online to schedule an appointment.