Obamacare Enrollment Climbs, Misses Expectations

[TexasTowelie]

Texas enrollment in the online insurance marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act rose steadily in February but did not meet expectations set forth by the Obama administration, according to figures that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released Tuesday.

“As more Americans learn just how affordable marketplace insurance can be, more are signing up to get covered,” Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a call announcing the enrollment data. “We expect that even more will sign up as we approach the March 31 deadline.”

The data is the last to be released by HHS before open enrollment closes on March 31, offering a glimpse at the daunting task facing advocacy groups as they make their final push to sign people up for health coverage.

Texas ranked third behind California and Florida in total enrollments since the launch of healthcare.gov on Oct. 1. As of March 1, 295,000 Texans had selected a coverage plan in the federal marketplace, up from 207,500 the month before.

More at http://www.texastribune.org/2014/03/11/obamacare-enrollment-climbs-misses-expectations/ .

[northoftheborder]

1. I don't understand the deadline.

Why can't people continue to sign up? Will there be another deadline this year? Or another one next year?

[onestepforward]

2. I wanted to know too and found this:

Important Health Insurance Marketplace dates

You can generally buy Marketplace health insurance only during the annual Open Enrollment period. Upcoming dates to know:

March 31, 2014: 2014 Open Enrollment ends
November 15, 2014: 2015 Open Enrollment starts
February 15, 2015: 2015 Open Enrollment ends

To buy Marketplace insurance outside Open Enrollment, you must qualify for a special enrollment period due to a qualifying life event such as marriage, divorce, birth or adoption of a child, or loss of a job.

https://www.healthcare.gov/what-key-dates-do-i-need-to-know/


I finally signed up a little over a week ago and I'm now waiting for my bill so I can pay before the end of the month. I haven't been to a doctor in 15 years. It still feels unreal.