The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has provided a special enrollment period that extends open enrollment (in most cases until April 15) for some consumers accessing the federally facilitated health insurance marketplace (exchange). Consumers who were unable to complete the enrollment process due to life changes, exceptional circumstances, or technical problems with healthcare.gov will be able to participate. Coverage obtained during the special enrollment period will be effective for the 2014 coverage year.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reported 7.1 million people successfully enrolled in coverage through the marketplaces prior to the March 31 deadline. In addition, between Oct. 1, 2013 and Feb. 28, 2014, state agencies determined that 11.7 million people were eligible for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Medicaid and CHIP eligibility data for March will be released next month.