Enrollment for 2021 health insurance in the ACA health care marketplace has reopened.
Gov. Laura Kelly announced that enrollment will be open from Feb. 15 through May 15 in a special enrollment period for Kansas residents.
The special enrollment period in the Affordable Care Act marketplace was opened by a January executive order signed by President Joe Biden, opening the federal health insurance marketplace for three months.
For all Kansans who are uninsured or underinsured, this is an excellent opportunity to secure coverage as Kansas fights through the pandemic, according to Gov. Kelly.
“This is an incredible and urgent opportunity for Kansans to ensure they have the health care they need. I strongly encourage every Kansan who can to sign up for insurance,” Gov. Kelly said in a news release. “I appreciate the Biden administration’s efforts to expand access to coverage, particularly as Kansans potentially face long-lasting health complications caused by COVID-19.”
All U.S. citizens and nationals are eligible to enroll in health insurance through Marketplaces using the HealthCare.gov platform.
Plans of a variety of premiums, deductibles, and services are available. These plans are private insurers made available to the public through the ACA.
All Kansans may apply for personal health insurance, as well as for spouses and children. Individuals need a valid social security number or document certifying qualifying immigration status to apply. Kansans can check to see if they are an eligible immigrant at https://www.healthcare.gov/immigrants/immigration-status/.
Between Feb. 15 and May 15, Kansans can apply through the HealthCare.gov marketplace at https://www.healthcare.gov/get-coverage/.
According to health officials, without health insurance coverage, it is harder for people to treat their chronic conditions and then they become more vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19.
Many Kansans might also be eligible for subsidized coverage through the Medicare and KanCare, Kansas‘ Medicaid programs as well. All Kansans are encouraged to take advantage of either this special enrollment period, KanCare, and Medicare to gain access to affordable health coverage, according to the governor’s office. The Medicare site is at https://www.medicare.gov/. KanCare is at https://www.kancare.ks.gov/.