Due to high consumer demand at HealthCare.gov, the deadline to sign up for health coverage that starts January 1 has been extended to December 17 at 11:59 p.m. PST ( or 3 a.m. December 18 in Delaware).
Complaints have been few about sign-ups, a marked contrast from a year ago.
Highlights of the plans, according to the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services include:
- Individuals who are enrolling for the first time or re-enrolling will have more plans to choose from: 29 plans vs. 25 in 2015. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna Health, and Aetna Life Insurance administer the plans. A dozen dental plans will also be available.
- Health benefits that include coverage of pre-existing conditions, outpatient care, emergency services, hospitalization, prescription drugs, mental health and substance use disorder services, lab services, and pediatric services.
- Rate changes: Individual-plan premiums will increase an average 22.4 percent for Highmark plans and less than 17 percent for Aetna.
- Small business employers: Owners will have 15 SHOP (Small Business Health Options Program) plans to choose from for 2016 vs. 16 in 2015. Premiums will decrease 0.5 percent to 1 percent for Aetna plans and increase 12.7 percent for Highmark plans. Small business owners can enroll in SHOP at any time.
- Federal tax credits that in 2015 helped to lower the cost of coverage for 84 percent of Delawareans who enrolled. Their average monthly tax credit was $260.
- A penalty calculator will again allow visitors to see how much they could pay for going uninsured.
- A higher penalty for going uninsured is in place. Those who are not exempt and do not buy insurance for 2016 will pay $695 per adult (plus $347.50 for each child younger than 18 not covered) or 2.5 percent of their household income, whichever is higher.
