The federal government is giving consumers until April 30 to buy health insurance if they got dinged when filing their 2014 taxes for not having a plan last year.
Idaho consumers who paid a tax penalty for not being insured last year will not have that option.
The “special enrollment” period is open to consumers in states that rely on the federal exchange, www.healthcare.gov, as their marketplace for insurance plans and income-based premium assistance under the Affordable Care Act.
Idaho created its own exchange, Your Health Idaho, and piggybacked on the federal exchange for its first year. But it broke its ties to www.healthcare.gov last year. The sign-up deadline for 2015 health plans on Your Health Idaho was Feb. 15.
“After careful consideration and coordination with key stakeholders, Your Health Idaho has decided not to offer a special enrollment period for individuals who pay a penalty for not enrolling in health insurance coverage in 2014,” a statement posted on Idaho’s exchange website said.
The tax penalty for not having insurance last year is $95 per person, or 1 percent of annual household income, whichever is higher. The penalty for going uninsured in 2015 will be $325 per person, or 2 percent of household income.
Some people can qualify for exemptions from the tax penalty. Click here to find out if you are exempt.
