Signups continue for ACA plans; next deadline Jan. 15 for Feb. 1 start

Signups are continuing for 2016 ACA-approved health insurance plans.

Those who wanted coverage by Jan. 1 needed to apply no later than Dec. 17. The next deadline is Jan. 15 for a Feb. 1 start date. The final deadline will be Jan. 31 for a March 1 start date. You can avoid a tax penalty by having coverage at least nine months out of the year. Those who miss the Jan. 31 deadline will need to wait until Nov. 1, unless they have a qualifying life event, and will be subject to a fine that is 2 1-2 percent of their adjusted gross income or $695 per adult in the family and $347.50 for each child, whichever is greater.

Individuals can get an ACA-approved plan both on a state or federal health exchange or by working with a broker off the exchanges. Some plans are less off the exchange for those who get little or no subsidy.

We can do either at Affordable Healthcare Pros. One lady in Elko recently got a plan for $236 less than any plan offered in Nevada on the Federal Exchange for her age group. So, if you are borderline on getting a subsidy, look into getting a plan off the exchange.

You can call us at one of the following numbers or come by to see us at our office at 2307 N. Carson Street in Carson City:

Office Number: 775-883-3414.

Carson City Numbers: 775-450-6769; 775-450-6867, 775-450-7754 or 775-224-716

Or Las Vegas lines -- 702- 721-3657 or 702-721-3810.

There is no charge for our services. We offer a wide variety of health insurance coverage and can take care of your healthcare needs – both on and off exchanges in both Nevada and California.

Ron Bliss is a former long-time sports writer who has been doing health insurance since 2009. He is certified on both Covered California and the Nevada Health Link and can sell products on and off both exchanges. Affordable Healthcare Pros also offers a variety of dental plans to include dental-vision-hearing plans in both states, as well as a wide variety of Medicare supplements and other health supplemental products to include critical illness, short-term care, disability, plans to cover in-home or nursing home costs, accidents and hospital indemnity policies.)