If a person who is not disadvantaged makes a complete lifestyle change and misses the open enrollment period for healthcare coverage and does not meet the criteria for an exemption, what can that person do? The person wants to purchase healthcare coverage, will be given a penalty for not having it and cannot obtain it. Is there anywhere that this person can get assistance in obtaining healthcare insurance now?
Open enrollment for 2018 ran from November 1, 2017 to December 15, 2017 in most states. Outside of those dates, enrollment on and off the exchange is only available if you experience a qualifying event, but for 2018, there are extensions and special enrollment periods available to millions of people. Short-term coverage is the closest thing you can get to "real" health insurance if you find yourself needing to purchase a policy outside of open enrollment without a qualifying event. Short-term plans are now limited to less than three months in duration, but that's expected to change in 2018.
There are some options but limited. See link for more info https://www.healthinsurance.org/obamacare/miss-open-enrollment-youve-got-options/
Miss open enrollment? You’ve got options.
healthinsurance.org
Open enrollment for 2018 ran from November 1, 2017 to December 15, 2017 in most states. Outside of those dates, enrollment on and off the exchange is only available if you experience a qualifying event, but for 2018, there are extensions and special enrollment periods available to millions of people. Short-term coverage is the closest thing you can get to "real" health insurance if you find yourself needing to purchase a policy outside of open enrollment without a qualifying event. Short-term plans are now limited to less than three months in duration, but that's expected to change in 2018.