Starting November 1, Open Enrollment will begin. This means individuals can fill out or update a Health Insurance Marketplace to enroll, renew or change plans. This period will run from the beginning of November to the end of January 2016, meaning there is a relatively limited window to decide on health care coverage.

Here are a few important things to know when purchasing health insurance through Open Enrollment:

  • The marketplace is for those without insurance: If you do not have health care coverage through a job, Medicare or Medicaid, the federal marketplace can get you covered. Even those who have job-based insurance can buy a plan through Obamacare, but you will end up paying full price for the coverage unless the employer's insurance does not meet certain legal standards.
  • What you pay depends on your annual income: The savings you will see using the federal health care exchange will depend on the estimation of your expected income for 2016. Based on the income estimate, you will find out if you qualify for a health insurance plan with savings, including plans that cover essential health benefits and pre-existing conditions.
  • You can apply using four different methods: There are a few different ways people can enroll for health insurance using the federal exchange. There is the standard in-person application, one with paper, or over the phone or one the Obamacare website. Whichever one is most convenient for the individual person can be taken advantage of.

Whether you choose to go the home health care route or visit a local physician, be sure to check back here again for more health insurance help and information. Contact a member of our team to learn more about available options.