HHS announces potential ACA deadline extension for millions

Millions of Americans could get extra time to enroll for taxpayer-subsidized coverage this year under the ACA, the federal Health and Human Services Department announced this week (Source: “Millions could get extra time for health insurance sign-ups,” Associated Press via Cleveland Plain Dealer, March 26, 2014).

On Wednesday, HHS posted guidance that details "special enrollment periods" for broad groups of people trying to access new online health insurance markets.

Those who've started an application, but weren't able to finish before the March 31 open enrollment deadline, will get a limited amount of time to sign up for coverage that would take effect May 1.

Additionally, people in 10 general categories of special circumstances would also get additional time to apply -- up to 60 days. The categories include exceptional circumstances such as natural disasters, system errors related to immigration status, computer error messages due to technical difficulties and situations involving domestic abuse, as well as other sorts of problems.