Definition:
On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act. The law put in place comprehensive health insurance reforms that put consumers back in charge of their health care. A new wave of powerful evidence points to one clear conclusion:  The Affordable Care Act is working to make health care more affordable, accessible and of a higher quality, for families, seniors, businesses, and taxpayers alike.  This includes previously uninsured Americans, and Americans who had insurance that didn’t provide them adequate coverage and security. Click here for an overview of the key features of the Affordable Care Act.

The 2016 Open Enrollment Period has ended.  The 2016 Marketplace Open Enrollment period began November 1, 2015 and continue through January 31, 2016.

Between the 2015 and 2016 Open Enrollment periods, there are Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) available for some individuals to sign up for coverage in the marketplace. SEPs are permitted for individuals with extenuating circumstances surrounding tax filing, as well as for individuals with qualifying life events.  To learn more about SEPs and find out if you, or someone you know, qualify for a SEP, visit Healthcare.gov.

Additional Resources

The Marketplace and the Safety Net has what you need to know about the health insurance Marketplace, essential health benefits, private insurance market reforms and essential community providers.