Hartford, Conn. (February 9, 2015) - Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman, Chair of the Board of Access Health CT, Access Health CT Acting CEO Jim Wadleigh, and Connecticut Department of Labor Commissioner Sharon M. Palmer today reminded residents that healthcare open enrollment ends Sunday, February 15, 2015 at midnight. Consumers must sign up for coverage or receive an exemption by February 15, 2015 to avoid a federal tax penalty.

"Access to quality, affordable health care is key to building strong families and a productive workforce," said Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman. "With the open enrollment deadline quickly approaching, residents should review their coverage options and sign up for a plan that works for them. Access Health CT has enrolled over 400,000 residents in coverage and is available to answer questions and provide consumer assistance."

Access Health CT (AHCT) has extended call center hours and is fully staffed at enrollment centers and Community Enrollment Partner locations throughout Connecticut. Residents can shop for plans online or use the AHCT mobile app for iPhone and Android users.

"There are many ways to enroll before the Sunday deadline-online, on the phone, or in person," said AHCT Acting CEO Jim Wadleigh. "If residents have questions about coverage they can contact our call center, stop in at an enrollment center, or get help from our online avatar accessed through our website. The most important thing is to get enrolled by Sunday."

In-person assistance is available at the AHCT enrollment centers in New Britain and New Haven, the 11 community enrollment partners in Hartford, Bridgeport, New Haven, Waterbury, New Britain, West Haven, Hamden, East Hartford, Stamford, Norwich, and Meriden.

"As an Access Health CT community partner, our agency strongly believes that good health insurance leads to healthier employees and ultimately a stronger, more effective workforce," said Labor Commissioner Sharon M. Palmer. "Our centrally-located job centers are part of the local community, so it makes sense that we open our doors to facilitate convenient enrollment. I encourage anyone with questions, or needing help signing up, to come to any of the community enrollment offices, including our Hartford or Bridgeport Job Centers."

Consumers can get information or enroll by calling 1-855-805-HEALTH (4325) Monday through Friday from 8:00AM until 6:00PM, Saturday 10:00AM until 6:00PM, and Sunday, February 15 from 8:00AM until midnight. Phone assistance is available in both English and Spanish, and assistance in 100 languages is also available Monday through Friday 9:00AM until 5:00PM.

For 2015, the federal government will assess a penalty of two percent of the total household income over the federal income tax filing threshold, or $325 per individual and $162.50 per child, or $975 for families, whichever is greater for anyone not enrolled in health insurance or who does not have an exemption.