The deadline for eligibility for the 65% health insurance premium subsidy has now been extended through March 31, 2010. Previously, eligibility only extended to those who lost their jobs through Feb. 28.  Those eligible can still receive the subsidy for 15 months.

But watch out, this extension is even more complicated than the original subsidy eligibility rules.  Not everyone will qualify.   Make sure your employer or your insurance company gives you accurate information!

I wonder why they don’t just extend the subsidy through the end of the year.   Why dole it out one month at a time?  Oh, yeah… it’s the politicians at work, again.

Go here to read the full government-speak amendment.

The House and Senate have passed the legislation; Obama is expected to sign quickly.   This will help you in two ways:

The eligibility period has been extended to February 28, 2010.   Which means that if you become eligible for continuation of your group benefits under the COBRA laws, you will still have until 2/28/10 to take advantage of the Federal premium subsidy.

AND… if you’ve almost run through the original 9 months of subsidy, you’ll get another six months of help, for a total of 15 months.

Good news all around!