The federal government has extended an important deadline for people who need individual health insurance in 2016. High demand on healthcare.gov prompted officials to extend the deadline for coverage that takes effect Jan. 1.
Health insurance shoppers now have until 11 p.m. Alaska time on Dec. 17 to buy a health plan that begins the first day of the new year.
The open enrollment period lasts until the end of January, but customers who buy plans after Dec. 17 will have to wait until later in January
or February for their coverage to begin.
Most Alaskans who buy insurance on healthcare.gov are eligible for hundreds of dollars in monthly subsidies to help pay premium costs.
Annie Feidt is the broadcast managing editor at Alaska Public Media. Reach her at afeidt@alaskapublic.org. Read more about Annie here.
