Emanuel Medical Center will continue to offer information and assistance to the community during the health insurance special enrollment period for tax season, which runs until April 30.

The Centers for Medicaid and Medicaid Services have provided this extended period to purchase health insurance for those who were unaware of the significant fee for not enrolling in 2015.

According to HealthCare.gov, those who have not enrolled for health care in 2015 will face a $325 fee per person or 2 percent of annual household income, whichever is higher, on their taxes.

However, qualifying candidates may still be able to enroll for health insurance, even though the enrollment period ended on Feb. 15.

“Throughout the extended enrollment period, Emanuel will continue to offer information and assistance from our certified enrollment counselors,” said Sue Micheletti, chief executive officer at Emanuel. “We can help people understand their health coverage choices and enroll in the right plan for them.”

Those eligible for this special enrollment period must meet the following requirements:

• Live in states with a federally-facilitated marketplace – including California
• Currently are not enrolled in marketplace coverage for 2015
• Attest that when they filed their 2014 tax return they paid the fee for not having health coverage in 2014
• Attest that they first became aware of, or understood the significance of, the Shared Responsibility Payment after the end of open enrollment (Feb. 15, 2015) in connection with preparing their 2014 taxes

Consumers who purchase coverage through the marketplace may benefit from the low-cost health insurance options, which may include the ability to join a parent’s plan until age 26, tax credits to help pay for health insurance, and catastrophic plans that provide emergency coverage at a lower upfront cost.

Emanuel’s enrollment counselors are available to help with enrollment days, nights or weekends. To schedule an appointment, call 209-669-4667.