Deadline for Obamacare Health Care Coverage Sign-Up Extended to Dec. 24

LongIsland.com

Individuals still have today to sign up for health care coverage under Obamacare to begin on Jan. 1. The deadline was extended from Dec. 23 to Dec. 24.

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Just as everyone was rushing to meet the Dec. 23 deadline to sign up for health care coverage to begin on Jan. 1 under the Affordable Care Act, or ObamaCare, the White House granted a one day extension on the deadline – to Dec. 24.

As if everything wasn’t confusing enough, this is the second change to the deadline date. Previously, it was Dec. 15, then Dec. 23, and now it’s Dec. 24.

The White House offered the extension to accommodate people in different time zones. Clearly, the extension was also needed to deal with the site’s troubles.

According to USA Today, more than 1 million visitors logged into HealthCare.gov on Monday, and more than 60,000 people faced a landing page indicating the site was busy and that they may be alerted of when the site may accommodate them by leaving an email address.

While the extended deadline is a relief to those who have been having trouble signing up, it comes as a surprise to some insurance brokers who planned to have these matters wrapped up before Christmas Eve.

The latest deadline extension clears the way for individuals seeking to have health insurance coverage come Jan. 1. For others, the final deadline for enrollment remains March 31.

Payment of the first premium must also be made by Jan. 10 for coverage to take effect at the start of the year.

 [Source: Healthcare.gov; The White House, President Barack Obama; USA Today.]