WASHINGTON: The official deadline to sign up for coverage on the state and federal exchanges closed last Sunday, but since this is the first year the administration is allowing people more time to get covered and avoid a hefty tax penalty.
On Friday, Andy Slavitt, Principal Deputy Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced a special enrollment period from March 15 to April 30 specifically for uninsured people who weren’t aware of the individual mandate. “Our intention is that this is one year only for people who have not been in the communication loop,” he said.
Democrats are “bracing for another Obamacare backlash” when up to 6 million Americans learn they have to pay a penalty when they file their taxes this year unless they qualify for an exemption.
Despite all the media coverage surrounding Obamacare, about 45 percent of uninsured Americans said they were totally or somewhat unaware of Obamacare’s individual mandate requiring everyone to have health coverage or pay a penalty.
