Today is the deadline for health care coverage signups under the federal Affordable Care Act.
Those who still don’t have health insurance have until midnight tonight to sign up under the national health care law. Penalties will go into effect after today.
According to the signup website, more than 6 million Americans already have signed up. Those who already have qualifying health insurance at work, or already have existing qualifying health insurance policies, or are covered under Medicare do not need to sign up.
People may visit www.healthcare.gov for more information about open enrollment and signing up. Or sign up in Spanish at CuidadoDeSalud.gov.
According to sources, the federal signup website was very busy this morning and persons who waited until the last day were having trouble getting through.
Signups also may be done by telephone. Persons may call a toll-free number to sign up, 1-800-318-2596. Expect some waits on this, also.
There also is help available in person in different communities to sign up. One website with information is localhelp.healthcare.gov.
The Kansas commissioner of insurance’s website lists one site in Kansas City, Kan., site helping people sign up for health care today:
Enroll Wyandotte, at the Unified Government Health Department, 619 Ann Ave., Kansas City, Kan., will have people available to help with signups from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, March 31.
For more information about Enroll Wyandotte, call 913-371-9298, Ext. 2.