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State officials urge Michiganders to get health insurance during special enrollment period

Know the Law – Health Insurance for College Students
Posted at 10:53 AM, Feb 16, 2021
and last updated 2021-02-16 10:53:12-05

LANSING, Mich. — State and federal leaders are urging Michiganders who do not already have health insurance to get covered through the Affordable Care Act’s special enrollment period.

The newly-created special enrollment period for the Health Insurance Marketplace runs Feb. 15 through May 15, with coverage beginning on the first day of the month after consumers purchase coverage, according to a news release Tuesday.

RELATED: For those without insurance, special enrollment period opens Monday

About 90% of people who sign up through the Marketplace are eligible for federal subsidies, with about 75% of enrollees obtaining high-quality coverage for less than $50 per month, officials say.

“This pandemic has only reaffirmed the need to expand access to quality, affordable health care,” Sen. Gary Peters said. “I’m pleased that the Biden administration has opened a special enrollment period, which will allow Michiganders who need health insurance to get covered and help lower health care costs.”

Michigan was the first state to call on the federal government last year to open a special enrollment period in response to the pandemic.

“We repeated those calls throughout 2020 and now they have been answered,” said Anita Fox, director of the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services. “It is important that Michiganders take advantage of this limited special enrollment period if they do not currently have health insurance coverage, and that they do not wait until it is again too late to protect themselves and their families.”

The Health Insurance Marketplace can be accessed here.

RELATED: Biden signs 2 executive orders on health care, one of which expands Affordable Care Act enrollment