Final Days to Enroll for Health Coverage Starting January 1
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace is in its final stretch for those looking to secure health coverage starting at the beginning of the year. Interested individuals have until December 15 to sign up on healthcare.gov for plans that begin on January 1.
Missing this crucial deadline means that while open enrollment extends into mid-January, coverage will only commence in February for late enrollees.
Lower Premiums Thanks to Federal Subsidies
The Inflation Reduction Act has played a significant role in reducing costs for 2025 ACA plans, according to Shannon Hills, a regional administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. In areas like Phoenix, the impact is evident, with a single woman earning $33,000 or less finding four plans available for under $10 a month. Similarly, a 27-year-old man with an income of $22,000 can choose from eight plans priced below $10 monthly. Hills remarked, “So that’s exciting news for folks in Arizona.”
Hills advises current enrollees to review their options for 2025, suggesting, “Shop other plans that are available in your area. Who knows? Maybe you can find a plan that meets all of your needs and it might be available at a lower cost.”
Arizona’s Uninsured Rate and Enrollment Trends
As of 2023, Arizona’s uninsured rate stood at about 10%, one of the highest in the country, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau. The Inflation Reduction Act’s subsidies have been a key driver in reaching record enrollment numbers in the ACA marketplace across Arizona and the nation in recent years. However, these subsidies are slated to expire after 2025, potentially leading to a substantial increase in plan prices in 2026 if no extension occurs, as highlighted in an analysis by experts.
The upcoming changes underscore the importance for consumers to act promptly and explore their health coverage options before the December 15 deadline.
