--- title: Stressed Out About Being Closed Out of Open Enrollment? description: The window of opportunity to take advantage of the Affordable Care Act’s open enrollment period is about to close. Contact us for more information today! image: https://www.tmait.org/hubfs/January%202017/Blog%202-1.png --- - [800-880-8181](tel:800-880-8181) - [CONTACT US](https://www.tmait.org/contact) - [SELF-SERVICE PORTAL](https://tmait.aebsys.com/#/) [![](https://www.tmait.org/hs-fs/hubfs/TMA%20Insurance%20March%202019/Image/logo.png?width=197&name=logo.png)](https://www.tmait.org/) Topics All Accident Insurance Accidental Death and Dismemberment Auto & Home Insurance Auto Insurance Business of Medicine Business Overhead Expense Insurance Comparing Insurance Providers COVID-19 FAQs Critical Illness Insurance Dental Insurance Disability Insurance Employed Physicians Family Featured Financial Advice Group Benefits Group Coverage Health Insurance Homeowners Insurance HSA Independent Contractor Independent Physician Individual Coverage Insurance For Good Insurance for Women Insurance Review Key Person Insurance Life Events Life Insurance Locum Tenens Medevac Insurance Medical Insurance Medical Practice Medicare Medicare Part D Medicare Supplement Medigap Nearing Retirement Office Overhead Expense Insurance Open Enrollment Personal Umbrella Insurance Pet Insurance Practice Management Practice Managers Practice Owners Prescription Drug Coverage Renters Insurance Residents Retired Physicians Retirement Short Term Disability Short-Term Medical Insurance Supplemental Hospital Indemnity Insurance Term Life Insurance Travel Insurance Vision Insurance Women Physicians Young Physicans Young Physicians ![](https://www.tmait.org/hubfs/January%202017/Blog%202-1.png) [Health Insurance](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/health-insurance) # Stressed Out About Being Closed Out of Open Enrollment? 16 January 2017 The window of opportunity for taking advantage of the Affordable Care Act’s annual open enrollment period is about to close. In order to obtain health insurance coverage effective March 1, 2017, you must sign up starting January 16th and no later than the January 31st deadline. ## **Penalties for delaying your decision** You may be thinking, “Eventually I’ll get around to it. No big deal if I miss the deadline, there’s always another one.” Yet the penalties for missing the January 31, 2017 deadline could affect your family’s health and finances. Not only will you be required to pay an income tax fine, 2.5 percent of your adjusted gross income, for not having proper insurance but delaying your decision will cost you more in the long run. Missing the January 31st deadline could mean your family would be without comprehensive, ACA compliant health insurance for one year. The only way you can enroll after the deadline is in the case of a marriage, divorce, birth, adoption or loss of coverage due to a change in employment. Think about it. What if you or a family member falls ill, requiring hospitalization or special care? Not to mention, without a plan in place, you’ll eventually pay higher healthcare costs the longer you wait. [![We're here to help - CLICK HERE or call today](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/400074/1876f7ad-549d-444d-8ad8-d3754e4c0e06.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/400074/1876f7ad-549d-444d-8ad8-d3754e4c0e06)***[800-880-8181](tel:800-880-8181) 7:30 – 5:30 CST Monday – Friday*** ## **Regular coverage versus a short-term fix** Although many physicians are frustrated by the limited choice of plans and higher costs this year, meeting the Affordable Care Act deadline for coverage is still the best option. While short-term plans may seem to offer lower monthly premiums, deductibles can be high and plans aren’t comprehensive. They don’t cover pre-existing conditions, routine office visits, maternity, mental health or preventive care like regular plans. The benefit of ACA-compliant plans is that providers offer discounts on services, which may add up to 50 percent off the prescribed usual-and- customary charges, 100 percent coverage for preventive care such as annual exams, screenings and vaccinations, and the option to have prescription drug coverage. ## **Caveats to consider** An important point to consider about a short-term plan is that you could be turned down for coverage, leaving you without any health insurance for the year. Short-term plans also expose you and your family to lapses in coverage. For instance if you choose a six-month plan and do not renew, you will be without coverage for the remainder of the year. Also note that choosing short-term coverage doesn’t absolve you from paying the 2.5 percent tax penalty. ## **Consider the benefits of group coverage** It’s becoming more competitive for solo practitioners and those in private practice to attract experienced office staff and skilled medical technicians. Offering a solid benefits package that includes health coverage may provide you with an opportunity to obtain the healthcare coverage you prefer while making it easier to hire and retain the most qualified employees. ## **Timing is everything** Our licensed advisors are standing by to walk you through the complex changes affecting the Texas health insurance market. Whether you’re looking for an individual, family or group plan for your practice, advisors can answer important questions, “How will copays and deductibles affect out-of-pocket costs?” “Is a specialist or hospital part of a particular plan?” Since they don’t work on commission, TMA Insurance Trust advisors are unbiased. They’ll do the research, suggesting the best options to fit your needs and budget, and taking care of the minutiae you don’t have time for. Why go it alone this year? Let the health insurance specialists at TMA Insurance Trust get you to the finish line in time for the January 31, 2017 Health Insurance Open Enrollment deadline. And start the New Year off with less stress and healthy solutions for you, your family and your practice staff. [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/400074/ebf3a58c-49d2-407c-bca7-674c38ad7f8f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/400074/ebf3a58c-49d2-407c-bca7-674c38ad7f8f) For over 60 years, TMA Insurance Trust advisors have been serving Texas physicians, their families and staff. TMA Insurance Trust prides itself on offering unbiased information and strategies to members, along with exclusive group rates on a range of the highest-rated plans in the industry. ** [ Health Insurance ](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/health-insurance) ** [Open Enrollment](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/open-enrollment) [**Previous Entries](https://www.tmait.org/blog/are-you-getting-the-most-from-your-membership-open-enrollment) [Next Entries**](https://www.tmait.org/blog/what-will-i-do-if-i-miss-open-enrollment) ## Recommended Posts ### [A New Alternative for Group Health Insurance](https://www.tmait.org/blog/a-new-alternative-for-group-health-insurance-group-benefits) ### [Why Going It Alone on Group Health Coverage Costs Your Practice](https://www.tmait.org/blog/why-going-it-alone-on-group-health-coverage-costs-your-practice-group-benefits) ### [Practice Owners Share Their Experience Navigating PPO Health Insurance Options](https://www.tmait.org/blog/practice-owners-share-their-experience-navigating-ppo-health-insurance-options-group-benefits) ### [Give Your Group Health Coverage Another Look](https://www.tmait.org/blog/give-your-group-health-coverage-another-look-group-benefits) ### [Group Health Insurance for Today's Independent Physician](https://www.tmait.org/blog/group-health-insurance-for-todays-independent-physician-group-benefits) ### [Final Opportunity to Check If a Group PPO Plan Is Possible for 2026](https://www.tmait.org/blog/final-opportunity-to-check-if-a-group-ppo-plan-is-possible-for-2026-open-enrollment) ### [PPO Access Alert: What Practice Owners Must Know Before 2026](https://www.tmait.org/blog/ppo-access-alert-what-practice-owners-must-know-before-2026-open-enrollment) ### [Don’t Renew Yet! 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