Procrastinators Rejoice!

 

Elections do have consequences.  Four years ago the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) was under attack. We were preparing for the first Open Enrollment under the Trump administration.  Funding for the Cost Share Reduction had been eliminated which cost the insurance companies millions of dollars.  Some insurers responded by leaving the market.  And the annual Open Enrollment was shrunk to just six weeks.   The damage that couldn’t be done legislatively was accomplished by Executive Order. 

We are a little over a month away from the SECOND Open Enrollment of the Biden administration.  Recognizing the importance of access and the affordability of health care, this administration and a friendly Congress instituted an emergency Open Enrollment from March 15, 2021 until August 15, 2021.  Almost three million Americans took advantage of this opportunity to either acquire health insurance or to lower their premiums.  I met with people stuck on Share Plans, short term major medical plans, and those without any coverage who were excited to have the chance to purchase comprehensive health insurance, plans that covered preexisting conditions.  And this week it was confirmed that our annual Open Enrollment will be restored to the full November 1, 2021 to January 15, 2022.  It may not seem like much, but many Americans aren’t really ready to commit to the following year until the very end of December or the first week or so of January.  Agents around the country will now be able to help these people acquire comprehensive health policies.  And yes, that will also help the procrastinators who always seem to call the week between Christmas and New Year’s.

Dave 

www.cunixinsurance.com

 Picture – More Wine, Less Whine – David L Cunix