Friday, April 4, 2014

Kentuckians who ran into problems signing up for insurance on state website get a second chance through April 11

Kentuckians who had trouble starting or completing their application during the open enrollment period can still apply for subsidies and purchase health coverage at Kynect.ky.gov through midnight April 11.

This applies only to those who completed their applications by March 31. All individuals must select a plan by midnight April 15, with coverage beginning May 1, according to a state press release.

“This will be the last chance for most people to sign up for private health plans and possibly receive discounts until the fall open enrollment period,” Carrie Banahan, executive director of Kynect, said in the release. “We strongly encourage those who still need to select a plan to do so as soon as possible. Those who have started applications should work to complete them quickly too, to reduce possible wait times toward the end of the grace period.”

To sign up during the special enrollment period, you will be asked to attest that you attempted to complete an application by March 31, and had problems doing so. When you connect to the Kynect website, there will be a button to select when the special enrollment screen comes up.

Kentuckians who need assistance can also contact the Kynect call center at 1-855-4kynect weekdays from 7 a.m. to midnight Eastern time or from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time Saturday and Sunday. They can also search at Kynect.ky.gov to find a Kynector or insurance agent who can assist them with enrollment, or visit a local Department for Community Based Services office.

Individuals who qualify for Medicaid can apply at any time. But only those who experience a qualifying event, such as the loss of employer-sponsored health insurance coverage, will be able to purchase private health plans.

The next open enrollment period begins Nov. 15, 2014.

More than 370,000 Kentuckians have enrolled in new health coverage through Hynect between Oct. 1 and March 31. This is more than 1 out of every 12 Kentuckians, or 8.6 percent of the state’s population, according to the release.

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