I know this is a given in here and we are all aware that tonight is not the last day to get insurance. However, I have become aware that perhaps there is a part of the population out there that may believe this, due to the extreme hype surrounding the "deadline" on the news.
I have an aunt and a niece who I have been trying desperately to sign up because they are totally uninsured and have been for years. They both got very discouraged in October for reasons we all know but then it was one excuse after another. First, it was too much information to give out, then it cost too
much (and too much was 60 whole dollars and niece less than that), and now because they think they are "too late" ??
Yes, that is what I was told today. My aunt thinks that since she does not have the money to pay her first month's premium tonight (due to Christmas shopping) and she said "tonight is the last day".....that they are going to "fine me anyway" .....so I guess that means she'll just forget the whole thing!?!
Ok, so after I explained that tonight deadline is just to get it for January....and the hype is just so we can get this thing going for people, and I told her that we could help pay the first month or even pay the whole thing for her, if need be....I then realised that she may not be the only one who thought this was it for this year.
So I put on my FB the following, "Happy Holidays! Just a friendly reminder...if you want/need health insurance you can still get it! Matter of fact you have plenty of time, you just won't be able to use it on January first but you can get it going for as early as February! So if you haven't done so...don't worry! If you need it, sign up as soon as you can!"
Please share with those you know that the ACA is still very much available and fines are not starting tonight...the "deadline" has nothing to do with the fines...not now it doesn't. Tell them to wait until after the holidays, if they must, because of finances/holiday shopping but tell them to make certain to sign up very soon to start coverage as soon as February.
Help someone pay the first month, if you can! What a great gift idea for this time of year, right?? Pay a year if you are very fortunate for someone you love! The ACA is a gift that keeps on giving for someone who might have never had insurance before.