Deadline to Enroll for Jan. 1 Health Insurance Coverage Nears

Montanans seeking individual and small-group health insurance plans have until Dec. 15 to enroll in a plan that will take effect on Jan. 1 and Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance is urging Montanans to shop around now for the plan that best fits their needs and budgets.

Montanans can enroll in plans and see if they qualify for the tax credit at www.heathcare.gov.

More than 85 percent of Montanans applying for plans through www.healthcare.gov qualify for a tax credit to offset premium costs.

Montanans can find contact information for local health insurance navigators, counselors and certified insurance agents who are specifically trained to help Montanans find coverage at www.montanahealthanswers.com.

The vast majority of Montanans get coverage from employer-based large-group plans, Medicare or Medicaid, and do not need individual plans. For those who do need coverage, the CSI office has posted Information on all individual and small-group plans available in Montana at www.montanahealthanswers.com.

To get coverage that takes effect Jan. 1, people must enroll on or before Dec. 15. Enrollment is open until Jan. 31 for coverage that takes effect in Feb. or March 2017.