Capital BlueCross reminds consumers to sign up for health insurance by March 31, 2014

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Capital BlueCross is reminding consumers that March 31 is the deadline to sign up for health insurance. The deadline and the potential penalty for not having coverage are part of the Affordable Care Act that requires all Americans to have health insurance in 2014.

Anyone in need of assistance with the purchase of health insurance can connect with Capital BlueCross for information and consultation in a variety of ways:

• Call Capital BlueCross at 800-451-1181 seven days a week 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to speak with a representative.
• Visit choosecapitalblue.com for information and tools that can help you shop for health insurance.
• Stop by Capital Blue, the company's health and wellness store, at the Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley in Center Valley, Pa., Monday through Saturday between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Additionally, for individuals who are eligible for financial assistance from the federal government, Capital BlueCross is the only insurance company in central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley that can submit applications directly to enroll on the federal health insurance marketplace and qualify for subsidies.

"The bottom line is that there is less than a month left until the deadline, so the time to act is right now," said Stacey Warner, Capital BlueCross vice president of Sales Operations and Individual Products. "Capital BlueCross is here to help people review their options and make decisions that meet their personal financial and health needs."

Warner emphasizes that individuals in the 18- to 29-year-old age group may need additional encouragement to enroll.

"Individuals in this age category tend to feel that they don't need coverage because they are young and healthy," she said. "But by law, most people are required to have health insurance or they could face a penalty. Also, after March 31, individuals will not be able to sign up through the health insurance marketplace until the next open enrollment period starts in mid-November unless they experience a 'life event,' such as having a child or getting married.  So if you are a parent of an adult child without health insurance, now is the time to talk about signing up. Coverage will provide peace of mind for both of you."

Editor's Note: A brief video reminding consumers about the March 31 enrollment deadline is available at http://youtu.be/flru5Agys2A.

About Capital BlueCross
For more than 75 years, Capital BlueCross has been serving central Pennsylvania and Lehigh Valley residents and businesses as the region's leading health insurer. Through its family of companies, Capital BlueCross brings innovative services and clinical solutions to the marketplace. Committed to delivering medical value to its communities, Capital BlueCross focuses on improving patient satisfaction, enhancing quality of care and reducing costs. The company continues to lead the change in the industry, most recently by entering the retail market and introducing a first-of-its-kind health and wellness store called Capital Blue. Headquartered in Harrisburg, Pa., Capital BlueCross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, employing more than 1,800 people. More information about Capital BlueCross can be found at capbluecross.com.

SOURCE Capital BlueCross