Sunday, Jan. 31, is the last day of the 2016 open enrollment period. But Michigan director of Enroll America, Erin Knott says, folks don't have to go it alone. Trained navigators are available in every community, and they can guide people through their coverage options. Knott notes that nearly eight out of 10 people who apply for insurance through the marketplace will qualify for financial assistance to help pay the monthly premium. Those who do not have health coverage this year will face a federal penalty of either 2.5 percent of their income or $695 per adult, whichever is higher. Knott points out that some people may qualify for a special enrollment period. This is for when you have a qualifying life circumstance that would make you eligible to obtain insurance through the marketplace outside of the open enrollment period. Knott adds as a result of coverage options between the Healthy Michigan Plan and the marketplace, the number of uninsured people in Michigan fell from 11 percent in 2013 to 8.5 percent in 2014. Those who enroll by the end-of-January deadline will have coverage starting March 1.
