Watch CBS News

First Healthcare Open Enrollment Deadline Passes, But Next Deadline Is Coming Up

By Kim Glovas

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- Yesterday was the last day to sign up for coverage under the Affordable Care Act. But it's still not the end of open enrollment.

You can still be covered by the Affordable Care Act, your coverage just won't start on the first of the year.

"You have all the way up to February 15th to take action," says Paula Sunshine, vice president of Consumer Business with Independence Blue Cross. "And if you take action on February 15th, which is the last day of Open Enrollment, then your coverage will be effective March first."

This rule applies to all insurance companies. The federal government's website says that if you miss this deadline, you can't sign up for a health plan for the rest of 2015. The only exception is if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

For more information, head to Healthcare.gov.

You may also be interested in:
View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.