Officials Launch Special Enrollment Period For Taxpayers Who Didn't Realize There's A Penalty For Not Having Health Insurance
By Pat Loeb
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- More than 11 million people signed up for health insurance during the Affordable Care Act open enrollment period, but federal officials think a few more will be interested after doing their taxes, so they're launching a special enrollment period tomorrow.
This is the first year that people without insurance will have to pay a penalty on their taxes and though their numbers are few, an estimated two percent of taxpayers, federal officials want to give them a chance to avoid the same fate next year.
The Philadelphia region medicare administrator Nancy O'Connor, the regional administrator for Medicare and Medicaid Services, says they probably didn't realize that there was a penalty for remaining uninsured.
"They realize this when they file they're 2014 tax return."
So the special enrollment period covers the final month of tax season, when most people file, and two weeks after that.
Will Gonzalez of Ceiba foundation, which helps with tax prep, says they've already had some takers.
"We connect them with people who can help them enroll. We look at it as an asset-building tool. It's good not only for your health but also the wellness of your wallet."
The penalties this year were relatively modest but go up sharply next year.
A special health insurance enrollment period for taxpayers who just realized there's a penalty for not having it.
