New Obamacare Enrollment Deadline Tuesday

Columbia, S.C. (WOLO) — Although, the deadline to enroll in the Affordable Care Act has been extended to December 24, some folks in the Midlands are feeling a sense of urgency, while Christmas ‘shopping,’ for health insurance coverage in order to be insured by January first. The deadline to sign up to receive health care insurance coverage by January first is now Tuesday, December 24. The Obama administration made the announcement Monday, the original deadline. To handle the rush of folks trying to enroll in time, certified marketplace navigators, staff members at Cooperative Ministry in Columbia, were busy all day assisting last minute consumers shopping for the best plan that best meets their needs, and clear up misconceptions about fines and penalties. “The penalty is if you are eligible for insurance and you don’t get insurance,” said Linda Dowson with Cooperative Ministry. “If you don’t have adequate income then that’s a hardship and then you would not have to get insurance; that’s an exemption, and you won’t be fined.” For more information, go to www.healthcare.gov.