Ask Questions, Get In-Person Help and Enroll in a Health Plan Before the April 30th Special Enrollment Deadline

What/Who:
Time is running out for individuals and families who qualify for the special health insurance enrollment period to enroll in a health insurance plan. As of today, there are only five days left for individuals and families who started the application process before the March 31st deadline, or those who need in-person or telephone assistance to complete the health insurance application process by Wednesday, April 30, 2014.

To help consumers get the health insurance they need, DC Health Link will continue to enroll consumers in health coverage at several locations in the District through April 30th. For a complete listing of special enrollment period locations, select here.

DC Health Link will also offer one last One Touch Enrollment location on Wednesday, April 30, from 10 am-8 pm at the Dorothy I. Height/Benning Library, 3539 Benning Road, NE. The DC Health Link One Touch Enrollment Center will offer in-person help with health insurance plan selection, identity proofing, and Medicaid determinations.

In-person assisters and licensed health insurance brokers will be available at each special enrollment period location to answer questions and assist with the enrollment process. Consumers can also still enroll in health coverage online at DCHealthLink.com and over the phone by calling (855) 532-5465 through April 30, 2014 as well. Call Center hours are from Monday-Friday, 8 am-8 pm.

When enrolling through DCHealthLink.com after March 31st, consumers will be asked to attest that they sought either in-person help or telephone help or that they started the process of enrollment but could not finish.

Residents who do not enroll in health insurance by April 30, 2014 may face a health insurance penalty. The next health insurance open enrollment period begins November 15, 2014.

The April 30th special enrollment deadline does NOT apply to:

• Small businesses
• Individuals and families losing other coverage or
• Persons eligible for Medicaid.

A complete list of circumstances that allow a person to enroll after April 30 can be found here.

Background:
The new health law provides individuals, families, and small businesses in the District of Columbia with new options for quality, affordable health insurance. DC HealthLink is the District’s online health insurance marketplace that allows visitors to shop, compare, and buy coverage that fits their needs and budgets.