WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 (UPI) — The deadline to register for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act was extended 48 hours to late Thursday.
“Because of unprecedented demand at HealthCare.gov and our marketplace call center, we’re extending the deadline to sign up for January 1 coverage until 11:59 p.m. PST on December 17,” a statement from the Department of Health and Human Services read.
The ACA marketplace website was inundated with people attempted to sign up for health insurance before the Tuesday deadline. More than 1 million people left contact information, assuring themselves of an opportunity to complete necessary forms to register.
Those seeking health insurance who do not sign up by Jan. 31 could face a financial penalty in the form of fines included in their federal tax payment. The average tax penalty in 2016 is expected to increase to $969, or nearly double the 2015 average, the Kaiser Family Foundation reported.
Thursday’s deadline is for those seeking to receive health insurance coverage starting Jan. 1.
