Deadline for health insurance coverage is March 31.

If you are under age 65 and not currently eligible for Medicare or Medicaid, it's important to understand your insurance options in Alabama. The deadline to sign up for health insurance for this year to avoid paying a penalty is March 31, 2014. We strongly urge all Alabamians who are currently without health insurance to go to www.healthcare.gov to determine your eligibility for private insurance and subsidies.

Alabama's governor, Robert Bentley, continues to stand against Medicaid expansion, leaving many thousands of Alabamians in the "coverage gap." If you find that you do not qualify for subisides to pay for private insurance, but also make too much money to qualify for Medicaid as it currently exists in Alabama, you will NOT have to pay a penalty for not having health insurance this year.

Bama Covered has volunteers to help you go through your health insurance options. You can find a Bama Covered volunteer in your area of Alabama by calling 334-513-1789 , or by going to their web site: www.bamacovered.org.