Sen. Carper Reminds Delawareans to Enroll in Health Insurance before Feb. 15 Deadline

WILMINGTON – The deadline to enroll in health insurance with the Health Insurance Marketplace is quickly approaching and U.S. Sen. Tom Carper encourages Delawareans without health insurance to enroll by Feb. 15 to get covered and avoid a tax penalty. Those who miss this Sunday’s deadline will likely have to wait to sign up for coverage until the next open enrollment season, with coverage starting in 2016, unless they have a qualifying event in 2015.

Consumers should visit www.ChooseHealthDE.com to review and compare health plan options and find out if they are eligible for financial assistance, which can help pay monthly premiums and reduce out-of-pocket costs when receiving services.

“With just a few days to enroll in the health insurance marketplace before the deadline, consumers should look at the coverage and financial assistance available to them now and not wait another day,” said Sen. Carper. “Delaware offers enrollment help at public places throughout the state and folks can find out where to go at choosehealthde.com.”

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released a report this week outlining the impact of advanced premium tax credits on premiums in the Health Insurance Marketplaces. In Delaware 21,276 individuals were signed up for coverage through the Marketplace as of Jan. 30, and 83 percent of those are estimated to qualify for an average of $265 per person per month in advanced premium tax credits.  On average, premium tax credits reduced consumers’ monthly premiums by 64 percent in Delaware. These figures underscore the impact of the Affordable Care Act in delivering quality, affordable health care coverage to millions of Americans.

Sen. Carper recorded a Valentine’s Day-themed video to remind Delawareans to enroll in health insurance: http://youtu.be/xIBWOxpF408

To read the HHS report visit: http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/2015/MarketPlaceEnrollment/APTC/ib_APTC.pdf

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