Time to get insurance?

Jan. 1 has come and gone but the question remains: Do you have health care?

The Cover Oregon program was originally intended to launch Oct. 1, yet employees are still processing paper applications.

If someone applied for health insurance through Cover Oregon, but was not able to finalize the paperwork in time for coverage to go in effect at the beginning of the year, they had the option to go straight to insurance companies.

Those who may qualify for subsidies were still able to purchase insurance outside of the marketplace, but would not receive the subsidy until February or March.

According to a Cover Oregon press release on Dec. 24, an estimated 136,000 Oregonians were able to enroll in a plan with coverage starting at the first of the year. Thirty-six thousand enrolled through Cover Oregon; the remainder are enrolled through the Oregon Health Plan.

In addition, 70,000 people were determined “eligible for health coverage beginning Jan. 1 for private plans or the Oregon Health Plan. “

To apply for coverage, visit www.coveroregon.com to fill out an electronic copy, or download the application and mail or fax it in.

Open enrollment for commercial plans will continue through March; you can enroll any time this year for the Oregon Health Plan.

If you do not have health insurance, but enroll in coverage by March 31, you will not have to pay a fee for being uninsured during months before coverage began; your coverage would begin in May (www.healthcare.gov).

However, paying the penalty for not having insurance does not cover your insurance needs. You are still responsible for the cost of your care.

If you had insurance prior to Jan. 1, but do not currently hold a policy, you will not be charged a fee for having a lapse in coverage for three months or less.

Insurance available thorough the marketplace will not be available until the next enrollment period, for most circumstances.