Idaho’s state health insurance exchange, YourHealthIdaho, has extended the deadline to sign up for health insurance that starts Jan. 1 to Dec. 20, but people still need to sign up before midnight tonight to get tax credits that help cover the cost; then they can have until the 20th to select a plan. Click below for the exchange’s notice about the extension, which doesn’t mention the reason for it – but the Idaho Statesman reported on Saturday that telephone wait times at the exchange averaged 43 minutes in December amid last-minute demand spikes and some technical problems. The Statesman’s full report is online here.
Exchange Executive Director Pat Kelly told the Statesman Friday that "operational" problems, including the long wait times, coincided with a flood of demand and prompted Your Health Idaho to make the deadline extension; he also cited a technical glitch, in which some Idahoans received emails to activate their accounts to shop for insurance that included broken links. As a result, some consumers, agents, brokers and community members helping people enroll have tried to create two Your Health Idaho accounts, which causes problems and "can take significant time to fix," he said. Kelly told the newspaper the exchange is "working to train additional call center representatives on how to fix the problem quickly."
December 15, 2014
Deadline Extended for Idahoans Who Want Health Insurance in the New Year.
Idahoans wanting health insurance coverage for January 1 must complete and submit a YHI Individual Account application by December 15 at 11:59 PM MST.
Additionally, Idahoans now have until Saturday, December 20 at 11:59 pm to select a health insurance plan and finalize their enrollment. This special time extension to December 20 is to allow extra time for customers to receive their tax credit eligibility and select a plan.
Please also note that Applications for an APTC ("advance premium tax credit") must be completed and submitted by December 15 at 11:59 pm MT.
For coverage to be effective starting January 1, payments must be received by the insurance carrier by December 31, 2014.
Our mission is to ensure that we enable all Idahoans who want insurance the opportunity to enroll in a plan.
If you need assistance, you can locate an Agent, Broker or Enrollment Counselor near you at www.YourHealthIdaho.org who can help you explore your health insurance coverage options.
Betsy Z. Russell joined The Spokesman-Review in 1991. She currently is a reporter in the Boise Bureau covering Idaho state government and politics, and other news from Idaho's state capital.
