Today, members of Congress voted to zero out the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate as part of a much larger tax reform bill. President Trump is expected to sign the bill into law within the coming days, but changes to the individual mandate will not take effect until 2019. Below are key points for ACA partners to know about today’s vote and its impact on consumers:
- Consumers that have enrolled and continue to pay their monthly premiums will have 2018 coverage. Despite the recent tax reform bill, consumers who enrolled or re-enrolled in coverage November 1 – December 15, 2017, will have coverage starting January 1, 2018 and will have that coverage for the entire year as long as their premiums are paid.
- Mandate still stands for 2017 and 2018. Although the tax reform bill zeroes out the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate penalty, that change will not go into effect until 2019. That means consumers will still have to have health insurance, get an exemption, or pay the penalty for not having coverage in 2017 and 2018.
- Marketplace coverage and financial assistance are still available. Financial assistance is still available to help people pay for monthly premiums and lower some out-of-pocket costs. Also, the tax reform bill does not change the fact that consumers with certain qualifying life events (such as losing health insurance coverage, moving, getting married, or having a baby) may still be eligible to enroll in 2018 coverage through a Special Enrollment Period. These consumers have up to 60 days from the qualifying life event to enroll in a plan.
- In-person assistance is still available. Consumers that have questions about their coverage or think they may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period can schedule a free appointment with a local assister by calling 1-855-733-3711 or visiting NCNavigator.net.
Thank you for your continued support,
NC Get Covered staff