Ron Bliss: Healthcare.gov will re-instate those canceled for lack of documentation

If you receive a letter saying your health insurance has been canceled on the Health Marketplace because you failed to provide requested documents, don’t panic.

Virtually everyone who signed up on the Health Marketplace and received a subsidy has been asked to provide documents – such as birth certificates, passports, Social Security cards, proof of citizenship or eligible immigrant status (if born outside U.S.) or proof of income.

The government is providing the subsidy to help make the insurance premiums more affordable and needs to make sure those who get the subsidies are qualified.

If you did not receive the letter or received it, but didn’t respond to it, you will receive another letter saying your subsidy is cancelled and that you owe the full amount of the premium for whichever plan you chose.

The Marketplace, however, is working with customers to re-instate them if they provide the information requested. It is a matter of providing that documentation with a cover letter that requests re-instatement. Be sure to ask that it be re-instated to the day after the cancellation took effect. Be aware you will be required to pay for that month to be covered.

The easiest thing to do is come to us and we will assist you in the process – even if you didn’t originally sign up through us.

You can find Affordable Healthcare Pros at 2307 North Carson Street, Carson City, NV or by calling us at 775-450-6769, 450-6867, 450-7754 or call me personally at 775-224-7169.

A reminder that you have only until April 30 to sign up for a plan during Special Enrollment Period which is for those who did not have coverage last year and are now being fined under the Affordable Care Act. While the fine last year was a minimum of $95 or 1 percent of your adjusted gross income, this year’s fine escalates to $325 per person and $162.50 per child or 2 percent of your adjusted gross income.

Ron Bliss is a former long-time sports writer who has been selling health insurance the last five years. He is certified on both the Nevada Health Link and through Covered California and can also write major medical policies off the exchanges for those who do not qualify for subsidies. Affordable Healthcare Pros also offers a variety of Medicare supplements and other supplemental health and life insurance plans.