HealthSource RI Announces Extended Deadline: New and Renewing Customers Have Until December 31 to Choose a Plan for Coverage Beginning in January 2015

PROVIDENCE–HealthSource RI, Rhode Island’s health benefits exchange, announced today the individual plan selection deadline extends to December 31, 2014, to ensure that more Rhode Islanders are able to have health insurance coverage in January 2015.

Health insurance coverage ends on December 31, 2014 for individuals and families who signed up in Year One, and will not be automatically renewed for the New Year. HealthSource RI has urged customers to avoid a gap in coverage and renew by December 23. Choosing a plan and paying the first month’s premium by this date is the best way to ensure coverage begins on January 1, with customers’ insurance card(s) arriving in the mail before the beginning of the New Year.

If new or renewing customers miss the December 23 deadline, they can still enroll as late as December 31, 2014, (with payment made for the first month’s premium by January 15) for coverage on January 1. However, if new or renewing customers enroll after December 23, they may not receive their insurance cards or have active insurance coverage on January 1 because of the time it takes to process enrollment and in light of the time it takes for mail delivery of insurance cards. Once a customer has enrolled and paid for the first month’s premium, his or her coverage will become retroactive to January 1.

If customers seek healthcare services during this window, it is likely that they will have to pay for their care up front and submit their receipts to their insurance company later, after receiving their insurance cards in the mail.

New and renewing customers who enroll and pay for their first month’s premium by January 23, 2015, will have coverage that begins on February 1, 2015.

New and renewing customers who enroll in and pay for their first month’s premium by February 15 will have coverage that begins on March 1, 2015.

The Annual Open Enrollment Period ends on February 15.

New and renewing customers can compare, choose and pay for the health insurance plan that is best for themselves and their families in the following ways:

• Online at www.healthsourceri.com
• By calling HealthSource RI at 1-855-840-4774
• By making an appointment or visiting the contact center/walk-in location at 70 Royal Little Drive in Providence or 1923 Post Road in Warwick
  • Hours:
    Monday – Saturday from 8 am – 9 pm
    Sunday from 12 pm – 6 pm
  • Open on Christmas Eve until 6 pm and New Year’s Eve until 9 pm.
  • Closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
• By working with a navigator—log on to www.healthsourceri.com to find a navigator near you
• By attending a community event—found on our web site listing atwww.healthsourceri.com

There are new plans, new rates and updated rules that affect eligibility for tax credits and cost-sharing reductions.  Based on income, individuals or their children may be eligible for free insurance through the Medicaid program. Customers should contact HealthSource RI for details and assistance.

(Small employers may enroll at their renewal date, regardless of where that date falls in the calendar year. Medicaid-eligible individuals may enroll throughout the year.)

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