Press Releases
03/31/2015
Lt. Gov. Wyman, Access Health CT CEO Jim Wadleigh Announce Healthcare Special Enrollment in April
(Hartford, Conn.)- Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman and Access Health CT CEO Jim Wadleigh today held a media briefing call to announce a Special Enrollment for residents who did not have health care coverage in 2014 and are subject to a tax penalty on their 2014 federal taxes. Special Enrollment begins on April 1, 2015 through midnight on April 30, 2015.
"Special Enrollment gives residents an opportunity to get covered before they file their 2015 taxes," said Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman. "Connecticut's exchange has enrolled more than 552,000 residents over the past two years. This is great progress, and we continue efforts to try to reach anyone who still doesn't have insurance. Anyone who wants access to affordable healthcare can get it through Access Health CT."
"Our mission is to provide access to quality, affordable health care coverage for any resident of the state who wants it," said Jim Wadleigh, AHCT CEO. "As the April 15th federal tax deadline approaches, we wanted to provide an extra opportunity for people to enroll and avoid a tax penalty. Consumers who are eligible for this special enrollment period may enroll online, using the mobile app, or by calling Access Health CT."
To be eligible for this special enrollment, individuals must be currently uninsured and not enrolled in coverage for 2015, and:
- Attest that when they filed their 2014 tax return and paid the tax penalty for not having health coverage in 2014; and
- Attest that they first became aware of, or understood the implications of, the Shared Responsibility Payment after the end of open enrollment (February 15, 2015) in connection with preparing their 2014 taxes.
The federal tax penalty of $95 per adult or one percent of their income, whichever is greater, will be applied to individuals who do not qualify for an exemption and went without health care coverage in 2014. The tax penalty increases to $325 per adult or two percent of income for 2015.
Individuals taking advantage of this special enrollment period will still owe a penalty for the months they were uninsured and did not receive an exemption in 2014 and 2015. This special enrollment period is designed to allow such individuals the opportunity to get covered for the remainder of the year and avoid additional penalties for 2015.
To enroll: www.accesshealthct.com, use the mobile app, or call 1.855.805.4325.
About Access Health CT
Access Health CT (AHCT), Connecticut's official health insurance marketplace, is a quasi-public agency created by the Connecticut legislature in 2011 to satisfy requirements of the federal Affordable Care Act. AHCT's mission is to increase the number of insured residents in Connecticut, promote health, lower costs, and eliminate health disparities. Connecticut residents and small business owners can compare and enroll in health care coverage and apply for tax credits for individuals through AHCT. AHCT (or the Marketplace) also coordinates eligibility and enrollment with state Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Programs. For more information, please visit www.AccessHealthCT.com, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AccessHealthCT and follow us on Twitter @AccessHealthCT.
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Office of Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman