Albuquerque, NM – BeWellNM, New Mexico’s Health Insurance Exchange, is pleased to announce that 54,865 New Mexicans selected a plan or were automatically re-enrolled through beWellnm as of Jan. 31, 2016.
“While we are excited to see that many more New Mexicans will have health insurance for themselves and their families, we realize that our team still has a lot of work to do,” said Amy Dowd, NMHIX CEO. “We want to make sure New Mexicans who missed the Open Enrollment deadline know they may still be able to get coverage through a qualifying life event.”
There are still thousands of uninsured New Mexicans, many of whom qualify for financial assistance and premium subsidies within the beWellnm marketplace. New Mexicans who did not sign up for insurance by January 31, face a penalty, either 2.5 percent or their household income, or $695 per adult/$347.50 per child under 18 up to $2,085, whichever amount is higher[1].
New Mexicans who have missed the Open Enrollment period may still be able to get coverage. Those experiencing certain life changes may qualify to register for insurance outside of the enrollment period. Life events include things like moving, involuntary loss of coverage, getting married or having a baby but you must enroll within 60 daysof your life event. Individuals who had previously enrolled in plans that were discontinued on December 31, 2015 and who did not take action during the Open Enrollment period have until February 29, 2016 to enroll in a new plan and gain coverage beginning April 1, 2016. More information on qualifying life events can be found here.
About New Mexico Health Insurance Exchange
New Mexico Health Insurance Exchange (NMHIX) was created to help individuals and small businesses get access to affordable health insurance plans. NMHIX helps consumers compare health insurance plans and choose the plan that works best for their health needs and budget. NMHIX also helps individuals determine whether they are eligible for premium assistance and if so, at what level. Through beWellnm for Small Business, employers are able to purchase competitively priced health insurance plans and offer their employees the ability to choose from an array of plans. Health Care Guides and insurance brokers/agents are available throughout the state to help with signing up for NMHIX coverage.
For more information on New Mexico Health Insurance Exchange, please visitwww.BeWellNM.com, call 1-855-99NMHIX (1-855-996-6449) or text BeWellNM to 311411.
[1] Source: https://www.healthcare.gov/fees/fee-for-not-being-covered/