No be small matter dey play for health insurance side as e concern Affordable Care Act (ACA). See, open enrollment for 2026 coverage go run from Nov. 1 go Jan. 15 for most states. But abeg, no forget say some states get their own different deadline – so make you check well to avoid wahala!
For 2026, you fit still check if you go dey eligible for premium tax credits wey go help reduce your insurance cost. Know say if your income dey below or reach 150% of federal poverty level (FPL), you fit still enjoy some of those juicy subsidies – but e get as the matter be o!
Omo, this year-round special enrollment period (SEP) wey allow low-income people enroll for Marketplace coverage don waka go road! E no dey available again. Before, if your household income no pass 150% of the federal poverty level, you fit enroll any time for ACA-compliant health insurance, but that one don finish!
Last-last, for September 2021, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) gree pour more life for low-income SEP, but na so e be. People wey dey face tight budget don lose that opportunity to register for coverage anytime. This one dey pain me because wetin be $0 premium plan for low-income families don vanish as of end of 2025.
As e be now, even if you dey qualified for subsidy, you no fit enroll anytime you want again. E mean say those guys wey get low income go need to wait for annual open enrollment period or any other special enrollment period wey fit show up later.
You still fit use Medicaid anytime wey you meet the requirements. Some states still dey allow low-income people collect enrollment wey dey extend above the regular Medicaid income limit too. But make no mistake; low-income people go need sharp eye for annual enrollment period to grab the coverage dem need!
No forget say, Medicaid still dey available year-round for people wey qualify – so no be say wey you no fit get cover again. Meanwhile, for states wey still dey consider low-income coverage, you fit get some programs wey dey extend above the standard 138% of FPL.
So for people wey still dey search for affordable health insurance, make you dey vigilant. Grab your opportunity during the open enrollment, and no let dem sneak that low-income SEP collect your chance away!
Louise Norris, wey don dey write about health insurance since 2006, dey always dey remind everybody say health insurance matter no be joke o. Na wetin you fit do make sure say you dey secure your health and your pocket!
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