People purchasing new plans on the health insurance exchanges have just been given an extension on their first payment deadlines, courtesy of the insurance industry. The sign up deadline is still December 23 for plans beginning on January 1, but now the first premium can be paid as late as January 10, with coverage retroactive to January 1, AHIP announces.
Health plans across the country are voluntarily giving individual market enrollees who select a plan by December 23 more time to pay their first month’s premium. Consumers must still pay their first month’s premium before coverage takes effect, but those who pay their premium by January 10 will now be able to have coverage retroactive to January 1.
“Our community is taking an important step to give consumers greater peace of mind about their health care coverage,” said AHIP President and CEO Karen Ignagni.
