| The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced a special enrollment period for individuals and families who did not have health coverage in 2014 and are subject to the fee or "shared responsibility payment" when they file their 2014 taxes.
This special enrollment period will allow those people who were unaware or didn't understand the implications of this new requirement to enroll in 2015 health insurance coverage through Affordable Health Care.
Consumers can find local help at Minnie Hamilton Health System, 186 Hospital Drive, Grantsville, WV, or you may call Janet Heiney at 304-354-9700, Ext. 1409. Evening and weekend appointments are available upon request.
Consumers will be provided the opportunity to purchase health insurance coverage from March 15 to April 30, 2015. If consumers do not purchase coverage for 2015 during this special enrollment period, they may have to pay a fee when they file their 2015 income taxes.
Those eligible for this special enrollment include: Individuals or families not enrolled in coverage for 2015; Attest that when they filed their 2014 tax return they paid the fee for not having health coverage in 2014; and attest that they first became aware of, or understood the implications of, the Shared Responsibility Payment after the end of open enrollment (February 15, 2015) in connection with preparing their 2014 taxes.
Americans who do not qualify for an exemption and goes without health insurance coverage in 2015 will be subject to a fee of $325 per adult or 2% of their income for 2015. Individuals taking advantage of this special enrollment period will still owe a fee for the months they were uninsured and did not receive an exemption in 2014 and 2015. This enrollment period is designed to allow such individuals the opportunity to get covered for the remainder of the year and avoid additional fees for 2015.
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