The period when people can enroll in a health insurance plan for 2018 through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) ends December 15, 2017. 

Those who don't select a plan by December 15 will automatically be re-enrolled in their current plan, or a similar one if their plan has been discontinued.  This may or may not be the plan a person would choose to re-enroll in they were comparing or considering their options.  

Outside the open enrollment period, a person generally can enroll in a health insurance plan only if they experience certain qualifying life events, such as getting married, having a baby or losing other health coverage.

Job-based health plans may have different open enrollment periods. To know for sure, check with your employer.

Enrollment in Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) can be done any time during the year.

To be successful in enrolling in a health insurance plan through the 2018 Marketplace:

· Go to www.healthcare.gov to get a quick overview of the Marketplace.

· Make sure you have everything you need before you apply. Visit https://marketplace.cms.gov/outreach-and-education/marketplace-application-checklist.pdf  to see what items need to be gathered.

· If you already have 2017 Marketplace coverage, review your current application to make sure it's up to date and report any life changes.

· Know what you’re looking for in a plan before you apply.

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