Join Your TownHealth 
Avoiding penalties may still be option for some uninsured residents
By Jon Kingsdale
Mon Nov 19, 2007, 05:48 PM EST
More than 200,000 Massachusetts residents have signed up for health insurance during the past year. That is remarkable progress, but it also shows we have a long way to go. It took three years to pass healthcare reform legislation in Massachusetts and it will take several years to implement.
Because there are a number of different plans offered by numerous insurers, the individual deadlines for coverage effective by Dec. 31 will vary.
We have encouraged people to sign up for health insurance by Nov. 15, as a safe date for enrolling and being sure to avoid the tax penalty.
However, healthcare reform is not about penalties. It’s about insuring people, and we have always said we would be flexible as we undertake an endeavor that no other state has attempted.
There are still opportunities to avoid the tax penalty.
If you are buying one of our Commonwealth Choice plans, you can complete your enrollment and pay your premium by Nov. 23 and avoid the tax penalty.
Everyone should be reminded that the tax penalties for 2008 will be significantly higher … as much as one-half the cost of the least expensive plan someone can purchase.
Those penalties will accrue every month you remain uninsured starting Jan. 1.
So even if you don’t make the 2007 deadline, enroll as early as possible in order to avoid steeper penalties beginning Jan. 1.
Kingsdale is Health Connector Executive Director.
