Health care sign up deadline looms

The Obama administration says sign-ups continue to build under the president's health care law ahead of a Feb. 15 enrollment deadline to avoid a tax penalty.

Nearly 7.5 million consumers selected a plan or were automatically re-enrolled through the HealthCare.gov platform as of Jan. 30, including 296,293 in Illinois, according to a release from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

"There are just 11 days before the February 15 deadline and the end of this year's Open Enrollment," HHS Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell said. "Time is running out. Consumers should shop at HealthCare.gov for an affordable plan that fits their budget and health needs and join the 296,293 individuals in Illinois who have signed up to date. Seventy-eight percent of Illinois consumers who have signed up for coverage qualify for financial assistance to help lower the cost of their premiums."

In the first two months of Open Enrollment, 78 percent of Illinois consumers who selected health insurance plans were determined eligible for financial assistance to lower their monthly premiums.

In Illinois, consumers can choose from 10 issuers in the Marketplace in 2015 - up from 8 in 2014.

Illinois consumers can choose from an average of 46 health plans in their county for 2015 coverage - up from 38 in 2014.

67 percent of Illinois Marketplace enrollees as of December 2014 could obtain coverage for $100 or less after any applicable tax credits in 2015.

Help is available

Online Information is available at HealthCare.gov or CuidadoDeSalud.gov.

By phone marketplace call center representatives are available to help all day, every day at 1-800-318-2596. TTY users should call 1-855-889-4325. Assistance is available in 150 languages. The call is free.

In person consumers can find local help at by visiting Localhelp.healthcare.gov. Egyptian Health Department at 1412 U.S. Route 45 North, Eldorado is the location to receive help in our region. The phone number is (618) 273-3326.