Crunch Time for Health Insurance Procrastinators

Uninsured procrastinators who haven’t applied for coverage under President Obama’s health care law are heading into its final hours.

Applicants have until midnight Tuesday to sign up for coverage that will begin on January 1st.

If you don’t have healthcare coverage or an exemption, your tax return will be coming back with an extra fee.

2015 penalties are $325 and 2016 penalties are on the rise and will cost up to $625.

2016 open enrollment runs through January 31st, but health officials say to avoid penalties its best to enroll now.
 
“We recommend submitting an application and that does not commit you to a plan. It just allows you to view your options, potentially save money if you were enrolled in a plan last year, and most important not only submit an application, but you need to choose a specific plan, and hit that enroll button in that plan,” said Katie Orth of Family Healthcare Fargo.
 
As of December, more than 6,000 North Dakotans have signed up for coverage during this enrollment period.