An executive with the Robert Wood
Johnson Foundation says tens of thousands of West
Virginians still have not enrolled for the health care insurance
that’s required in the Affordable Care Act with less than two weeks remaining
before the enrollment deadline.
Dr. John Lumpkin, senior vice
president and director of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation — a nonpartisan resource
— recently issued a reminder to state residents that the enrollment deadline is
March 31.
“The window does close (then) for
most people and it will open up again on Nov. 15,” said Lumpkin.
People who don’t have health
insurance after March 31 may be subjected to tax penalties through the
Internal Revenue Service.
As of earlier this month, almost
11,000 West Virginians had registered for
health care coverage through the federal exchange. Lumpkin, though, said
as many as 60,000 West Virginians could
qualify for health insurance subsidies.
“There are many people who don’t
know about the fact that they can get financial assistance and people should
let their neighbors know, their family members know, if they go to
healthcare.gov, they can find out about their eligibility and get this very
important health insurance,” Lumpkin said.
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield is
the only company offering health insurance plans on West Virginia
Additionally, since October, more
than 87,000 state residents have qualified and enrolled in coverage through the
Medicaid expansion.
Nationally, officials with the
Obama Administration estimated five million total Americans have chosen a
health insurance plan through the federal and state exchanges. The goal
of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is six million enrollees
before the deadline.
The enrollment portal is www.healthcare.gov.
People who don’t have computer access can call 1-800-318-2596 for assistance
with enrollment.
