HealthCare.gov Will Shut Down for 2 1/2 Days

The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services said Monday that HealthCare.gov will not be available for roughly two and a half days starting this Saturday, February 15. The pause will last from 3 p.m. on Feb. 15 until 5 a.m. Tuesday, February 18. That’s a major problem, as February 15 is the last day to sign up for coverage starting March 1. The reason for the shutdown is that the Social Security Administration needs to perform its annual systems maintenance activities. Even if people sign up in time before the website shuts down, they won’t know which plans or subsidies they qualify for.

This problem has occurred with ObamaCare before; especially as the program was commenced. If customers do not sign up for a health plan by March 31, they will pay a penalty.