Access Health CT, the state’s insurance exchange, said Tuesday it will hold a special enrollment period for those who did not have health insurance in 2014 and, as a result, paid a penalty on their federal income taxes.
The special enrollment, which will run from April 1 through midnight April 30, will allow the uninsured who sign up to limit penalties on their 2015 taxes.
“Our goal from day one has been to ensure that every Connecticut resident who wants health care coverage is able to access a quality, affordable plan through Access Health CT,” said Jim Wadleigh, CEO. “Since this is the first tax filing season where consumers may have to pay a penalty or claim an exemption for not having health care coverage, we want to make sure those who were not aware or did not understand the requirement have an opportunity to obtain coverage and avoid the tax penalty next year.”
Those who do not qualify for an exemption and did not have coverage in 2014 will pay a penalty of $95 per adult or 1 percent of income, whichever is greater, when they file their taxes this year. The penalty increases to $325 per adult or 2% of income for 2015. Those who sign up in April will still owe a penalty for the months they were uninsured and did not have an exemption.
Access Health said that to be eligible to sign up, individuals must not be enrolled in coverage for 2015, must have paid the tax penalty for not having coverage in 2014; and must have first become aware of, or understood, the tax penalty after the end of the regular open enrollment on Feb. 15.
Those eligible may enroll online at www.accesshealthct.com, via the AHCT mobile app, or via phone at 1‐855‐805-4325.