What You Need to Know about End-of-the-Year Enrollment
Posted: October 29, 2013
By Esmeralda Mercado & Stephen Saucier
Obamacare 2014 is coming. But what if you need coverage for yourself and/or your family through the end of this year? If you enroll in a health insurance plan now, how will the transition to Obamacare affect you? The last thing you want is to shell out more money than you need to, fail to comply with the new laws, or even experience a lapse in coverage. It may seem like a scary process but the good news is that the information you need is available to you and you certainly have options.
Important Dates and Deadlines
If you’re looking for coverage for the remainder of 2013 there is still time, but not much. Here are the application deadlines from some of the top carriers.
| Carrier | Application Deadline | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|
| Anthem Blue Cross | November 30, 2013 | December 15, 2013 |
| Blue Shield | November 15, 2013 | December 1, 2013 |
| Health Net | November 25, 2013 | December 1, 2013 |
| Kaiser Permanente | November 23, 2013 for adults or November 15, 2013 for children | December 1, 2013 |
Applications have to be received by November 30th in order for coverage to start on December 15th.
Applications have to be received by November 15th in order for coverage to start on December 1st. However, they’ll only accept paper applications and you have to specify the plan you’d like to move forward with in 2014. If you don’t specify your desired 2014 plan, they won’t process your application.
Applications have to be received by November 25th in order for coverage to start on December 1st.
Applications have to be received by November 23rd for adults and by November 15th for anyone under 19 years old in order for coverage to start on December 1st.
Note:
If your application is received after the deadline it won’t be processed. In that case you’ll have to apply for a 2014 effective date. That means starting over with a completely different application process because of the changes that are coming with Obamacare. Also, in the event that you miss the 2013 deadlines, you’ll definitely want to contact us before you decide on a plan because we can tell you if you qualify for reduced rates and cost sharing!
If you have any questions or concerns, please call and speak to one of our real-life agents. We’re happy to help you process through all of the information so that you can make the right decision for your specific situation.
1-877-752-4737
Not sure how Obamacare affects your health care plans in California? Learn how the ACA works in California, including benefits, costs and enrollment.
Covered California is the Golden State’s official health exchange marketplace where individuals, families and small businesses can find high-quality, low-cost California government health insurance.
Learn about Obamacare income guidelines in California using our income limits chart, and see if you’re eligible for government assistance.
Learn about the Covered California website. Find easy online enrollment. Set up your account, log in, buy insurance and more on the California health marketplace website.