Many not ready for nearing ACA March deadline

Americans need to be enrolled in health plans by March 31 or face a monetary penalty. While many public and even public sector workers have shifted their insurance benefits to exchange-offered plans, a recent poll found the majority of Americans are unaware of the deadline for health coverage and its subsequent fine. This indicates many may not meet the time limit, according to a blog in The Hill.

The next open enrollment period, which is for 2015 coverage, doesn't begin until Nov. 15, 2014, according to The Associated Press, and if Americans don't receive insurance benefits by March 31, they will need to wait until then.

The Hill blog reported the Kaiser Family Foundation found three in four uninsured workers did not know there is a March 31 deadline, and 24 percent who did know there is a cutoff didn't know the date. According to The Associated Press, there are exceptions to the deadline, including for those who try to enroll for insurance before the deadline but technical issues stopped them. 

While the deadline is fast approaching, many still may not enroll in time. According to The Hill blog, awareness about the cutoff will be important to encouraging enrollment.