Deadline Extended

Healthcare.gov announced this evening that the Biden/Harris administration extended the deadline for millions to still enroll in ACA healthcare beyond tonight at midnight local time. Now consumers in states that use Healthcare.gov for enrollment have until midnight Wednesday, December 18, 2024 to enroll in a plan and still have coverage for all of 2025.

State Based Exchanges, such as the Virginia Insurance Marketplace have not announced any changes as of this time. This announcement will be updated Monday, December16, 2024.

UPDATE: December 18, 2024: Because the Commonwealth of Virginia operates our own State Based Exchange, or the Virginia Insurance Marketplace, consumers enrolling in coverage in Virginia have until December 31, 2024 to enroll in a health plan and still have it be effective January 1, 2025. The binder payment must also be paid by December 31, 2024 to complete the contract and activate the policy.

On another note, while I have the stage, I had a question the other day from a client that I felt would be valuable to share. This client had a qualifying event and obtained coverage beginning December 1, 2024. She contacted me last night asking why she got another set of new cards from her carrier when she'd just received them a couple weeks prior. ACA health plans operate on the 12 month calendar year. That's why current consumers are renewing their plans for plan year 2025 now. All 2024 coverage will terminate on December 31, 2024 and their 2025 renewal, or change to a different plan is then effective January 1, 2025 and new member ID cards and information on any changes are sent out again to every enrolled consumer. So no, it's not a mistake. Take advantage of open enrollment and better yet, find and work with an agent. In Virginia, by law, agents are the only ones who can legally advise on and enroll consumers in ACA health plans.

Stephen Mellott

Mellott Agency