Midnight Wednesday is deadline for 2018 Covered California plans
He's noticed, however, that many people are still confused about a recent change to the healthcare law that affects individuals.
The Republican-led tax reform bill that passed last month included a repeal of the tax penalty linked to the Obamacare requirement that almost every American have health insurance -- or be fined.
But that tax repeal doesn't start until 2019; the penalty is still in place for 2018, and any adult who doesn't have health insurance this year will be fined
"I don't think people realize what they are risking and that the mandate is still in force,'' said Greer, who owns Rockridge Health Benefits. "They think they don't have to worry about it this year, but they do.''
"I was confused myself -- and it wasn't just me,'' he said Monday. "I had some clients calling me to ask about that.''
Not that the 32-year-old Koch was going to risk going uninsured. Even though he rarely goes to his doctor, Koch realizes how quickly his life could change if he ended up in the hospital uninsured, facing hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills -- and potential bankruptcy.
For 2018, he bought a
"You think, 'Oh, I can go without insurance,' and then something happens to you, and all of a sudden, you're in debt," Lee said.
So far, he said, 1.2 million Californians have renewed their policies -- the majority of them subsidized. Another 342,000 people have signed up as of
"More of those people who are signing up are actually getting gold plans, which is a better deal because the subsidies are bigger,'' Lee said.
A recent Covered California analysis found that the net monthly premiums for enrollees who receive financial help are on average 10 percent lower than what new and renewing consumers paid last year.
Consumers can visit the Covered California website to explore their options and see if they qualify for financial assistance to help buy health insurance.
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