PORTLAND, Ore., March 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Individuals who missed the February 15 deadline for health insurance have new options to enroll for 2015 coverage with Oregon's Health CO-OP, thanks to an extended April 30 deadline. However, the choice of how they enroll will determine when they can begin.

Effective immediately: shop for coverage directly with Oregon's Health CO-OP

Individuals who wish to shop directly with Oregon's Health CO-OP can do so immediately, either through the organization's website, or with the help of a broker. The non-profit health insurer's online experience is tailored to simplify the experience, helping people find the coverage and insurance-related answers they need in as little time as possible.

"No matter what you shop for, people expect a streamlined experience," says Dr. Ralph Prows, CEO of Oregon's Health CO-OP. "Our website is built to take people through the enrolling process easily. And when questions arise, we have professionals waiting to help."

Whether browsing plan options, checking for providers, or enrolling, individuals can get started now at http://ohcoop.org, by phone at 1-844-694-9292, or email to sales@ohcoop.org.

Effective March 15: shop for coverage through the Federal Exchange

For those who wish to enroll with a subsidy through Healthcare.gov, the new open enrollment period begins March 15, and ends April 30. Individuals must meet the following criteria:

• Not be enrolled in coverage through healthcare.gov for 2015;
• Attest that they first became aware of, or understood the implications of, the Shared Responsibility Payment after the end of open enrollment (February 15, 2015) when preparing 2014 taxes; and
  • Pay the Shared Responsibility Tax Penalty for not having health coverage in 2014 when submitting 2014 taxes.
    • This Special Enrollment Period will not be available to consumers who were enrolled in 2015 coverage through the Federally Facilitated Market Place and subsequently have been terminated.

Whether you enroll direct or through the exchange, effective dates are as follows:

• Enroll between March 15-31 for a May 1 effective date
• Enroll between April 1-15 for a June 1 effective date
• Enroll between April 16-30 for a July 1 effective date

Oregon's Health CO-OP continues to blend simplicity with innovation
The most recent open enrollment period included a number of changes across the health insurance industry, many of which led to confusion and frustration. As Dr. Prows explains, Oregon's Health CO-OP is doing everything in its power to make things simple for Oregonians—while providing them with great coverage.

"There are always questions and frustrations," Dr. Prows says. "Just in this last open enrollment period, people saw near double-digit percentage jumps in their plans from other insurers. Ours is a responsive, listen-first model. We take our connections with people across the state seriously as we pioneer an Oregon-made health insurance model. In providing people with innovative solutions, we're also changing the things people don't like about the industry as a whole."

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/oregons-health-co-op-announces-extended-open-enrollment-for-2015-coverage-300057121.html

SOURCE Oregon's Health CO-OP