State-by-State ObamaCare Extensions for 2015


HealthCare.Gov is allowing those who signed-up, but didn’t complete enrollment until Feb 22nd to enroll. Other state’s have unique extensions as seen below.

UPDATE: For 2016 most states have declined to issue an extension. Some states have special rules, when in doubt check with your state’s marketplace. Get more information here.

Many State run Marketplaces are also offering enrollment period extensions:

  • New Mexico– Does not list a specific end date yet, but notes that those who started the process before the February 15th deadline, can complete the process.
  • New York– If you started the process before February 15th, you have until February 28th to finish enrollment.
  • Rhode Island– Severe Weather extension because call centers were closed on February 15th due to weather conditions. You now have until February 23rd to enroll in their Marketplace plans.
  • Washington– Due to the sheer number of last minute enrollees on February 15th, as well as the expectation that many who discover they will owe the Shared Responsibility Fee during this years tax season, Washington has granted an additional enrollment period starting February 15th and ending April 17th, 2015.
  • Idaho– If you started the process, but were unable to complete your enrollment, you now have until February 21st.
  • Kentucky– No enrollment extension has been given at this time.
  • Maryland– If you started the enrollment process, but were unable to finish, you now have until February 28th.
  • Minnesota– If you at least created an account by February 15th, than you have until February 20th to enroll in a plan.
  • Nevada– In Nevada you’ll have to apply for special enrollment to get cost assistance, but insurers in Nevada have to offer major medical plans year round. So anyone who elects to purchase a plan can still get covered in Nevada.
  • Washington D.C.– No extension is specifically noted, however, the website states that those who have had difficulty due to weather conditions can email [email protected] to get help enrolling by March 1st.
  • California– If you started the enrollment process, but were unable to complete it, than you have until February 22nd (essentially extended to April 30th). If you make he first premium payment on the day you enroll, your plan will still begin on March 1st. From Feb. 23 until April 30, 2015, consumers are eligible to apply for health coverage during special enrollment by attesting that they did not realize there was a tax penalty. To attest to this fact, they can select “Informed of Tax Penalty Risk” when filling out an application at CoveredCA.com.
  • HealthCare.Gov– Just so it’s clear, the majority of state’s that use HealthCare.Gov had until February 22nd to complete enrollment. There will be another extra enrollment period from March 15th – April 30th. This is true for all state’s.

What to Do If You Missed the Deadline Above

If you have missed your state’s extension of February 22nd or later, depending upon your state, you still have options. Many state’s will be having another “extra enrollment period due to taxes” (technically a special enrollment period) from at least March 15th to April 30th. This is true for HealthCare.Gov, other state’s have unique deadlines. We will update the state-by-state extension list as we learn more, but don’t assume you are out of options.

Apply for specail enrollment in your state’s Marketplace or HealthCare.Gov and attest that you had one of the many qualifying life events that trigger a special enrollment period including being “Informed of Tax Penalty Risk” (ie you now know you’ll have to pay a penalty for not having coverage and were confused about this before).

Learn more about other special enrollment opportunities for those who missed the ObamaCare deadline.

Author: Thomas DeMichele

Thomas DeMichele is the head writer and founder of ObamaCareFacts.com, FactsOnMedicare.com, and other websites. He has been in the health insurance and healthcare information field since 2012. ObamaCareFacts.com is a...

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I enrolled in December 2016 but do not have the enrollment fee

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i don’t know why you cannon enroll at anytime. i had a policy and it lapsed because of poor communication and now i cannot enroll again. that is the dumbest thing i have heard of

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I think it’s OUTRAGEOUS that the IRS can exploit people that COULDN’T AFFORD HEALTH CARE and then when they file their taxes they get a major ding for it !!! I’ve always liked President Obama but this situation is unforgivable !!!
Who can afford $300 to $600 a month for insurance. RIDICULOUS !

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This is BS, I finally try to get coverage and I’m 4 days late!!?? So I’m doomed unless I have a kid! This is why I never tried obamacare, now I try and a big no!

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Nina Darlene I wish I was dead Henson

I am sick and tired of the Bull Sh–. you can get any real help with this crap. I should just kill myself and save you and me the headache.

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Cecilia Raquel Mercedes Zorrilla

Hola soy residente y quiero saber si puedo aplicar para este seguro ya que tengo 5 meses aquí y no tengo seguro y el plazo final es para fin de este mes por favor espero me contesten. Gracias

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A big sigh of relief, thank you so very much. I was definitely having problems with the Markets website. I could log into my account with no problems but it wouldn’t let me submit my chosen plan. Everything looks good for a go ahead now.

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You do not have to be treated like that Obama needs to strengthen this mess out it is to high to even afford it and true the doctors don’t want take because there not paying hardly getting paid it is a mess l said l was going to write President Obama and tell him that this Obama care is a horrible thing its not good at all he shouldn’t have signed this mess into law if was going to hurt Americans instead of helping us.

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Sorry l messed up but the doctors are not getting paid much that’s why they don’t take the Obamacare

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I thought we had at least till December 30th to get the health care that we need so that hard working people like me that doesn’t have enough money for health insurance wouldn’t get penalized

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Why do we have to buy this? No government should be able to FORCE a citizen to buy a product, insurance or other wise. My husband and I make around 25,000 a year, we only go to the doctor when we need to. We pay for it ourselves, buying this insurance will only make it so I can no longer afford to go the doctor if I need to. And the deductible is so high it is pointless, this is robbery plain and simple, being strong-armed by our own government, buy this or get a fine. This is so, so, so wrong. people on Medicaid or title 19 were already getting help, how does this help the poor working man? It does not, it only steals money from him to line the pockets of big insurance companies!I I live in Wyoming and there is only one provider, this is unjust!

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I can’t find any local doctors taking The affordable care insurance. My daughter gets $250. per month child support as of the first of this month and is severely ill, that is why her husband left her. Apparently the woman he was seeing at work is in better health. So the representative we spoke to said she would probably have to go through This affordable health care, when we enter her income it says she should check with medicaid….The $250. will only cover her utility bills..maybe diapers and wipes. Just because I loan her the money for rent doesn’t mean she is living for free because she does ow that money. I am getting deeper in debt. If she has insurance, that no doctors take how are we suppose to get her to a point where she can go back to school and become a competent member of society? We are not 2nd or 3rd generation welfare peole and we are legal citizens..what does it take to get help to get on your feet? We have now called over 100 doctors offices in the area and they do not take this plan.

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My son had medical insurance for 2014. He lives in Maryland. The carrier (Kaiser Permanente) was given authority to draft his premium from his account and they made a mess of it, some months one premium, some two. When he got a call in January indicating he owed premium, he called their “member services” and was told that his direct payment was still viable and the draft probably hadn’t caught up with their records. Long story short, they never drafted his January premium. He moved and didn’t get their notice of cancellation. Found out about this mess after Open Enrollment ended. They say they will not let him reinstate even if he brings the account current by making the January payment. This is outrageous because they have not only cut his coverage but exposed him to a fine. Call the Maryland exchange, and you’ll be on hold for 45 minutes, and get a tired person who really doesn’t listen closely and try to solve the problem. He’s willing to buy outside the marketplace but it looks like that state doesn’t have a compliant plan. Sorry, an open enrollment/drop dead period for an uninsured person makes ZERO sense.

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Wanda loretta frisby

I have no job husband has no job so why cant i get free medical coverage

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chris helgerson

If you have no income you need to apply for Medicaid. If your state hasn’t expanded Medicaid, you will be paying the full face value of the policy which will be very pricey. I would check with your state first.

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i got my insurance through the healthcare .gov and paid for it for two months then sent a letter saying i will pay nothing . Now i have a credit bal, what am i supposed to do? Also i took a withdrawal out of my ira to do house repairs etc and they counted it as income and i have to pay back my obamacare the full balance how do i see if i can get an exception since i was not told this would happen

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This is absolutely ridiculous that in a free country we are unable to get health care when we want it. I can now afford to pay for my health care but missed the deadline. I am disgusted by this!!! Now I will be penalized for not having health care when I could not afford it two months ago!! Thanks Obama!!!

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We are no longer a free country. Im told I have to buy insurance. It will cost anywhere between 388.00 and 900.00 dollars for my family monthly. We haven’t had to use a doctor but once in the last three years. And I paid cash at a clinic 75.00. For strept throat and 30 for the prescription. Why should my family have to give up all that money for others to have free medical. I just do t get it.

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I was not aware of the deadline. I don’t see T.V. I don’t want a tax fine. I need health insurance.

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I have NO job, No children. I have had 2 neck surgeries and 1 back surgery and I am going to pain management for me lower back now due to chronic pain. I can NOT afford health insurance and I do NOT qualify for Medicaid in south Carolina. How do I get healthcare? I need help! I have NO money. HELP ME

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I knew I had go sign up but didn’t know I hit the deadline already, how can I still sign up?

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I am a full time student who has a full time internship this semester where I work 11-12 hours a day, I got a rejection letter for Medicaid on feb 19 from my jan 15 application so I had 3 days to do something about it. Guess what, I WAS WORKING ALL DAY THOSE 3 DAYS. Now I’m suppose to pay $200+ premiums on top of out of pocket for meds when I will have no income in 6 weeks? Real affordable, thanks Obama.

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Will you please update this listing? Covered California recently updated the special enrollment period to run through April 30. Would love to see an update of all state enrollment extensions. Thanks!

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Hello I recently sfarted a new job I was wondering if this qualifies me for obama. Care? I waited for my original job to offer health insurance being that they were in the process of. Being closed down they never offered…..HELP!!??

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MY COMMENT IS THIS ONE HOW DOES THIS HELP ANYONE YOU HAVE A DEADLINE TO GET COVERED WITH NO WAY TO SIGN UP AFTERWARDS I KNOW YOU MUST THINK I LIVE UNDER A ROCK BUT HAD NOT IDEA ABOUT THIS DEAD LINE AND NOW MY HUSBAND WHO BRINGS HOME 645.00 EVERY 2 WEEKS WILL HAVE TO PAY 639.00 A MONTH FOR HEALTH DO TO THIS DUMB ACT THAT REALLY IS JUST AWAY TO PRAY ON THE POOR BECAUSE SURE NO PROBLEM THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE 60000.00 TO 100000.00 A YEAR CAN AFFORD HEALTH INSURANCE BUT THOSE OF US TRY TO SCRAPE TO PENNIES TOGETHER TO BARELY EAT OR KEEP THE LIGHTS ON CAN NOW AFFORD TO COME UP WITH MORE MONIES FOR THE DAM GOVERNMENT ARE YOU KIDDING ME AND WE DO NEED HEALTH INSURANCE MY HUSBAND HAS TYPE 1 DIABETES AND WE DO NEED A SOLUTION BUT THIS ISNT IT THIS IS JUST MAKING THINGS FAR WORSE FOR EVERYONE DOCTORS PATENTS SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS IT SEEM TO ME LIKE BIG CORPORATE COMPANIES AND BIG GOVERNMENT i ALMOST WITH WE ALL HAD TO LIVE LIKE THE AMISH JUST TO TAKE THE STRESS OF ALL THIS AWAY

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I was confused about how to sign up..

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I think this is ridiculous. Do I ever hardly watch T.V. I had no idea at all that there was a deadline to sign up by. My girlfriend forgot to tell me. I had never been told or heard hear say by one person there was a deadline. Every state needs an extension.

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