Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois

 

November 22, 2013

Legislative Update
Affordable Care Act Question of the Week: Open Enrollment on the Health Insurance Marketplace

The “Question of the Week” provides you with answers to frequently asked questions regarding the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This week, we are featuring a question about Open Enrollment on the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Get Covered Illinois, the Official Health Marketplace of Illinois provides access to purchase individual products for people who may not have previously had access to health insurance.

Q: When does coverage on the Marketplace take effect?

A: Since open enrollment for 2014 will last longer than usual — from Oct. 1, 2013, to March 31, 2014 — the effective date of an individual’s health insurance coverage will depend on when he signs up for a plan:

  • Enrolls on or before Dec. 15, 2013 – coverage will be effective on Jan. 1, 2014.
  • Enrolls between the first and 15th of any subsequent month — coverage will be effective on the first day of the following month. For example, if an individual enrolls on Jan. 5, 2014, coverage will start on Feb. 1, 2014.
  • Enrolls between the 16th and the last day of any month between Dec. 1, 2013, and March 31, 2014 — coverage will be effective on the first day of the second following month. For example, if an individual enrolls on Feb. 22, 2014, coverage will start on April 1, 2014.

After this initial open enrollment, the open enrollment period will begin on Oct. 15 and end on Dec. 7 of each year and coverage will be effective Jan. 1 of the following year.

This communication is intended for informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, does not constitute, and cannot be relied upon as legal, tax or compliance advice. The information contained in this communication is subject to change based on future regulation and guidance.

 


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A Division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company,
an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.