Deadline To Get Health Insurance For 2016 Nears

By Justin Udo

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The deadline for 2016 healthcare open enrollment is Friday morning.

People who fail to get insurance for the new year will have to pay a pretty steep penalty.

With the help of their mobile education and enrollment centers, Independence Blue Cross is going around Philadelphia to make sure people get the coverage they need.

"It's important that people understand that they can get affordable coverage instead of having to face a penalty which is going to be $695 a person or 2.5 percent of your income. Whichever is more."

Koleen Cavanaugh with Independence Blue Cross says the penalties are only part of the reason people need to make sure they get health insurance.

"If something unfortunately would be to happen to your health, to know that you've got the protection and peace of mind of insurance and that you're protecting your families not just health but their financial health as well is really important."

Cavanaugh says eight out of ten people signing up at their mobile enrollment center could end up paying less than $100 a month for healthcare.