Capsules: Obamacare deadline for Jan. 1 coverage extended one week

Kaiser Health News staff writer Mary Agnes Carey reports: "Millions of consumers have been frustrated by their inability to sign up for coverage through healthcare.gov, the federal website for residents of 36 states, which went public Oct. 1. While the administration has said the site will work smoothly for most customers by Nov. 30, some advocates had been concerned that consumers still might not have enough time to sign up for coverage that would take effect Jan. 1. The previous deadline was Dec. 15. In a call with reporters, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Communications Director Julie Bataille said the extension would apply only for consumers seeking coverage effective Jan. 1. In future months, consumers would have to enroll by the 15th of the month for coverage to begin on the 1st of the following month. Open enrollment continues until March 31" (Carey, 11/22). Read the rest of the story.