Dive Brief:
- A lower than expected number of people -- 143,000 - -took advantage of the opportunity to sign up for health coverage during this year's special "tax season" enrollment period, which took place after regular enrollment ended Feb. 15.
- The special enrollment provided a grace period until April 30 for those who were still preparing their 2014 taxes and facing their first penalty for lack of insurance, to obtain insurance in time to avoid incurring the penalty again for 2015.
- The lackluster response suggests low influence as yet from the individual mandate fine.
Dive Insight:
Given that this year's tax season was the first time the uninsured faced a penalty for their lack of coverage, a special enrollment period was added after the regular deadline so that those who were still learning about the mandate would have an opportunity to obtain coverage for 2015, and avoid paying the increased fine during the next tax season.
However, the 143,000 people who took advantage of the opportunity were fewer than expected, reports The Hill, perhaps because the penalty for last year was still seen by some as a better deal than the cost of health insurance at $95 or 1% of income, depending which was greater, and next year's fine may still not be persuasive at $325 or 2% of income. There will not be another special enrollment during next year's tax season, officials say.