Why is there a deadline for signing up for the ACA (Obamacare)?

I believe that is just to get coverage for this year.

I think there is an open enrollment every year. (Not sure.)
If you let people wait until they’re sick to sign up the rest of us will owe higher premiums to make up for it.

Health Plans work on annual enrollments and life events.

There is an annual enrollment period. Health care companies set rates for the next year. You are allowed a window. As this is the first year for obamacare, you have till the end of march, as you can’t go 3 mos. without hitting the penalty.

Health care companies have the concept of a “Life Event”. I lost my job. I got a new job. I had a kid.

These cause a new window to enroll based on the event. Obamacare follows this pattern.

Yes, there will be open enrollment every year. One must be signed up by tomorrow in order to get credit and not pay penalties for 2014. In the future, the open-enrollment period will be the last couple months of the year and won’t extend beyond Dec. 31st. People who experience life events (e.g. gaining, losing or changing jobs; turning 26 and aging out of their parent’s policy; getting married/divorced, etc.) will be able to enroll relative to that event.

Ah. Thanks guys.

Does having a leaf fire in your alley count as a life event?

Dutchess if you start the process today or tomorrow there is an extension to complete it. It’s probably cheaper than you think if you haven’t looked it up yet.

I don’t need it. I was just curious as to why the “deadline.”