eHealth Launches New Health Insurance Resources for the Consumers Who Missed Open Enrollment
Uninsured Hotline
Today eHealth rolled out a new Uninsured Hotline which consumers can reach at 877-803-2369. Licensed agents at eHealth's customer care center are staffing the hotline to address questions from uninsured consumers who missed the most recent open enrollment period. Agents will be able to provide information about which qualifying life events may trigger a special enrollment period allowing people to enroll in individual or family major medical insurance. Callers to the hotline will also be able to learn about health insurance alternatives such as short-term health insurance, understand the levels of protection as well as any limitations or restrictions that these plans provide, and find out how tax penalties under the Affordable Care Act may apply.
Online Consumer Resources
Today eHealth updated its ACA Resource Center to highlight articles, FAQs, and videos that help consumers understand the potential consequences of missing the open enrollment period, as well as help them learn more about coverage options available after
- Qualifying life events such as marriage, birth, job loss, and the inability (for technical reasons) to complete enrollment through the federal marketplace by
March 31 , among others, that may trigger a special enrollment period, allowing you to enroll in an Affordable Care Act health insurance plan - Short-term health insurance, accident insurance, critical illness insurance and other supplemental insurance plans like dental and vision insurance
- Tax penalties and other potential consequences of not enrolling in ACA-compliant health insurance plans during the open enrollment period.
To learn more, visit eHealth's Affordable Care Act Resource Center at www.eHealth.com/affordable-care-act.
Alternative Health Insurance Options
If consumers do not experience a qualifying life event allowing them to enroll in an ACA-compliant health plan, there are other insurance products available for enrollment year-round. These products can offer some level of protection, although they will not meet your coverage requirements under the Affordable Care Act, and you may still be subject to a tax penalty. Keep in mind that it may be possible to be declined coverage for alternate forms of coverage based on your personal medical history or other risk factors. They may also not provide coverage for pre-existing conditions. Some alternate forms of coverage may include:
- Short-term health insurance plans. Short-term plans typically provide coverage from 30 days up to twelve months at a time. They typically will not cover pre-existing conditions or preventive medical care but they can provide you with a limit to your financial liability for medical bills in case of hospitalization.
- Accident insurance. Accident insurance plans provide you with a cash payout if you suffer from specific injuries. The payout is made to you rather than to your medical provider and you can use the money for whatever you choose.
- Critical illness insurance. These plans work like accident insurance but are designed to provide you with a cash payout in case you are diagnosed with a serious illness.
With a broad selection of plans and a world-class
According to data compiled by eHealth during the last quarter of 2013, the average premium for short-term health insurance plans selected by eHealth customers was
Consumers can learn more about these products and get quotes by visiting ehealthinsurance.com.
Notes:
1 Short-term health insurance premiums based on an eHealth analysis of over 20,000 applications for short-term health insurance plans submitted through eHealthInsurance.com
About eHealth
For more health insurance news and information, visit the eHealth consumer blog: Get Smart - Get Covered or visit eHealth's Affordable Care Act Resource Center at www.eHealth.com/affordable-care-act.
For media inquiries, please contact:
(916) 207-7674
sande.drew@ehealth.com
(650) 210-3149
brian.mast@ehealth.com
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