CMS recently announced a Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM) special enrollment period (SEP) for eligible customers who did not have health coverage in 2014, were unaware of their responsibility to have minimum essential coverage (MEC), and are subject to the "shared responsibility payment" (individual mandate penalty) when they file their 2014 tax returns. Available between March 15 and April 30, 2015, this SEP offers consumers the opportunity to enroll in coverage for themselves and their families through FFM, and to minimize additional penalties for 2015.

Consumers may be eligible for this SEP based on the following qualifications:

• Live in states with an FFM and are not currently enrolled in 2015 coverage
• Attest that, when they filed their 2014 tax returns, they paid the penalty for not having minimum essential coverage (MEC) in 2014; and,
• Attest they first became aware of the individual mandate after the 2015 open enrollment period (i.e. after February 15, 2015).

Note: Consumers who enroll in coverage on or before the 15^th of the month will receive a coverage effective date of the first day of the following month. Consumers enrolling after the 15^th of the month will receive a coverage effective date of the first of the month directly after the following month.