No Special Enrollment Period On Federal Health Exchange

The Trump administration will not reopen the federal health insurance exchanges for a special enrollment period in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Politico reported that the administration will not reopen the federal marketplace, HealthCare.gov, and instead is “exploring other options.”

Health insurers and Democratic leaders had called for a special sign-up window for consumers to obtain coverage.

However, the Affordable Care Act already permits a special enrollment for people who have lost their workplace health plans, those who have lost their coverage amid a record surge in unemployment may still have an avenue to replace their health insurance.

Meanwhile, several states who operate their own health insurance exchanges have reopened them. Those states are Colorado, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New York, Rhode Island and Washington. In addition, California officials announced its state exchange will continue to allow residents to enroll in coverage through the month of June.