Why the March 31 Obamacare Deadline Matters
Why the March health-care reform deadline is important.
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Time Is Running Out for Obamacare - Even though Obamacare’s March 31 deadline is right around the corner, a recent survey found that most Americans are completely unaware of it. Learn why this deadline is important, what happens if you miss it and why health care is so important for African-Americans. — (@kelleent) Kellee Terrell(Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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Why Health Care Matters to Us - African-Americans are disproportionately uninsured and disproportionately suffer from a range of preventable illnesses such as heart disease, HIV/AIDS, high blood pressure, stroke and diabetes, to name a few. Also, we are more likely to die at a younger age than our white counterparts. Having increased and consistent access to quality health care could help lessen these racial health disparities. (Photo: PhotoInc/Getty Images)
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If You Have Insurance Already, Don’t Worry - For those who are already insured albeit through your employer, prior coverage from a private insurance company or already signed up and paid your premium through the marketplace, you are all good. Do not fret about this March 31 deadline. (Photo: Getty Images/Fuse)
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If You Haven’t Enrolled Yet - If you need health care, now is the time to log on to HealthCare.Gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to find out what your options are for you and your family. Remember: Because of certain subsidies based on income and family size, millions of Americans will pay $100 or less for their monthly plans. (Photo: AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
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After March 31, You Get No Subsidies - For those who could use the help of subsidies — a government “discount” — for their plans, if you miss the March 31 deadline and apply after that, you will not receive any subsidies — even if you are have serious health issues. This could put a serious dent in your pocket for the next year. (Photo: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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Other Exemptions - Due to certain circumstances, not everyone is required to meet the March 31 deadline. There are several exemptions: If you move to a different state this month, have a baby, have repeated issues with signing up online, lose your insurance from being laid off, Obamacare goes against your religion, are an American-Indian, are in prison, are not a citizen of the United States and lack financial resources to buy a plan.(Photos from left: Ann Marie Kurtz/Getty Images, Jupiterimages/Getty Images, Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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Substandard Care Plans Are Extended - Thousands of Americans who have insurance outside of the marketplace have gotten termination letters because Obamacare has deemed those plans as not up to par. But for many, these plans were all they could afford. So, this week, President Obama announced these plans can remain active for two more years, but after that, they have to enroll in Obamacare. (Photo: Stephen Lam/Getty Images)
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Medicaid and Medicare Are Exempt - If you are a low-income American and qualify for Medicaid, you are not required to adhere to this hard March 31 deadline either. For Americans 65 and older, they can enroll in Medicare at their leisure. But don’t wait too long to enroll in either one of these programs — get your health insurance now. (Photo: Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
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When Medicaid Expansion Is Denied - Unfortunately there are states — mostly GOP governed — who have rejected Medicaid expansion, which would offer millions of low-income Americans health care. The Health Insurance Marketplace does not have plans that fit into their budgets and so too many Americans, including poor Blacks, will fall through the health-care gaps. (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Photo By Joe Raedle/Getty Images
