Given the uncertainty among individual consumers about the changes in health care coverage required by the Affordable Care Act and the challenge many have faced trying to enroll through the online federal Marketplace, Independence Blue Cross is offering options to roughly 24,000 individual policyholders that will simplify enrollment and avoid gaps in coverage. IBC is offering roughly 6,300 policyholders currently enrolled in its Special Care^SM health insurance plan the choice to keep their existing coverage until June 30, 2014.The Special Care plan, which is a low-cost, limited-benefit policy for certain low income individuals, was scheduled to be discontinued as of January 1, 2014. Working in consultation with the Pennsylvania Insurance Department to preserve options and offer a safety net for these members, IBC is offering a six-month extension to give existing Special Care policyholders additional time to transition to plans that meet ACA requirements. At the same time, IBC is encouraging these members to explore whether they are eligible for financial assistance through tax credits and subsidies on the federal Health Insurance Marketplace. IBC will also ensure there will be no gap in coverage for the roughly 17,400 policyholders in the Guaranteed Enrollment plans. IBC's current Guaranteed Enrollment policies do not meet the requirements of the ACA, which mandates that all plans include new essential health benefits and other consumer protections. As a result, IBC's existing Guaranteed Enrollment plans will be discontinued as of January 1, 2014. In most cases, premiums for the new IBC individual policies that meet ACA requirements are lower than the premiums for current Guaranteed Enrollment policies. To ensure there is no gap in coverage during this transition, if a Guaranteed Enrollment policyholder does not select a plan on their own, IBC will enroll the policyholder in a new plan, based on their current benefits and monthly costs. If these members would like to select a plan that is different than the recommended plan, or if they want to take advantage of federal financial assistance by enrolling in a plan through the federal Marketplace, these members can make their selection by calling IBC at 1-888-475-6182 by December 23, 2013. For more information, please read the complete IBC press release linked below: >> IBC expands options for individuals to simplify enrollment and avoid gaps in coverage