You’ve submitted your Marketplace application and enrolled in a plan, but you’re not done yet. You must pay your first health insurance premium for your coverage to start. You make the payment to your health insurance company — not the Marketplace.

If you had 2016 Marketplace coverage and didn’t re-enroll or change your health plan by December 15, the Marketplace probably enrolled you for 2017 health coverage in the same plan (or a similar one) based on information from your 2016 application.

Time is running out! You only have until December 15, 2016 to sign up for or update your current Marketplace health insurance plan, so it’ll take effect January 1, 2017.

If you have 2016 Marketplace insurance and want coverage for 2017, your best bet is to update your 2017 health insurance application with your expected income and household information for the year ahead – even if you want to keep the same plan.

Update by December 15 and your changes take effect January 1.

When you enroll in Marketplace health insurance, we’ll send you emails from time to time. Unfortunately, there are some bad actors who may try to scam you with emails that look like they’re from the Marketplace, but are really trying to steal your information or infect your computer with a virus.

It’s time to sign up for affordable, quality health insurance at HealthCare.gov. About 85% of Marketplace consumers qualify for tax credits to help with costs. Are you one of them?

The Health Insurance Marketplace is open for business! Starting today, you can apply for 2017 health insurance coverage for the first time — or renew, change, or update your current health plan for 2017.

Open Enrollment for 2017 health insurance starts on November 1, 2016. To get a head start, you can preview 2017 plans with personalized price estimates right now.

Open Enrollment for 2017 Marketplace health insurance is just a few weeks away. Here are some important health care enrollment and other dates to remember:

If you have 2016 Marketplace health insurance, you can renew, change, or update your plan for 2017 starting November 1, 2016.

Open Enrollment for a 2017 Health Insurance Marketplace plan is almost here.

Flu season can start as early as October, so it’s important to be proactive and get the flu shot to protect yourself and your family from this potentially serious disease.

With 2017 Open Enrollment starting November 1, now is a great time to sign up for reminders and updates from the Health Insurance Marketplace about 2017 coverage.

Getting health insurance is an important first step to better health and well-being! If you’ve gotten coverage, get the most out of your Marketplace health insurance plan and stay healthy throughout the year by following these simple tips.

College is stressful enough, so give yourself the peace of mind that comes with having health insurance this school year. Getting health insurance may be easier and cheaper than you think.

When you enrolled in Marketplace coverage, you may have chosen a health plan that included dental coverage or purchased a separate, stand-alone dental plan.

Diabetic? Chronically sick? Don’t worry! With Marketplace health insurance, your plan covers treatment for any pre-existing medical condition you had when you enrolled in coverage.

Now that you have Marketplace health insurance, you have more ways to take charge of your health.

Did you know that with a Marketplace health insurance plan preventive services — like shots and screening tests — are covered at no cost to you? These free preventive services can help you stay healthy and save you money in the long run.

When you buy a car, you probably think first about price — your monthly payment. But other expenses — like auto insurance, gas, and maintenance — can affect your wallet. Your total costs depend on which car you buy and the expenses that come with owning a car.

Health insurance can be like that. If you look only at your monthly payment, you may find that other costs have a big impact on your household budget.

If you have questions about the Marketplace, don’t worry. Health insurance help is available.

If you recently lost health insurance coverage, you may be able to enroll in Marketplace coverage with a Special Enrollment Period.

Have you recently lost other health coverage, moved to a new home in a new ZIP code or county, gotten married, or had a baby? When big changes happen in life, you may be able to enroll in Marketplace health insurance right away with a Special Enrollment Period.

Click the button below, and answer a few questions about your major life change to find out if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period:

SEE IF YOU QUALIFY

If you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you’ll have 60 days from the life event to enroll. When you apply, you’ll also find out if you qualify for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). If you do, coverage can start the day you apply or earlier.

If you already think you qualify

Start an application for Marketplace health insurance by visiting the screener landing page and selecting the third button.

Learn more about applying with a Special Enrollment Period.

If you recently retired and aren’t eligible for Medicare yet, you may be able to get health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

If you recently had or adopted a baby, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. This means you can apply and enroll in or change Marketplace health plans outside Open Enrollment.

If you have a Marketplace health plan and your income or household has recently changed, you should report the major life change as soon as possible.

If you or your family are moving (or have moved in the past 60 days), you may still be able to enroll in affordable family health insurance this year through a Special Enrollment Period.

Getting health insurance is an important first step to better health. Now that you’re covered, here are 3 ways to get the most out of your health plan:

Congrats, graduates! Whether you’re heading into the working world or planning your next move, you have options for affordable health insurance that works for your life and your budget.

Open Enrollment for a 2016 Marketplace health insurance plan is over. But if you qualify for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), you can get health insurance any time of year, with coverage starting immediately.

It’s National Small Business Week. As we recognize and celebrate the contributions small businesses make — like job creation, innovation, and global competitiveness — it’s important to think about health care options.

Did you get a notice from the Marketplace asking you for documents to verify information on your health insurance application? If so, some of the information you provided on your application — like your yearly income estimate, immigration status, or citizenship — doesn’t match our records.

If you enrolled in a 2016 health plan, you must pay your first month’s premium to your health insurance company to avoid losing your coverage.

Attention: The deadline to file 2015 federal income taxes is April 18th. You have just over one week to file.

If you’re enrolled in a 2016 health insurance plan, here’s what you need to know to about getting the full benefit of your health coverage and keeping it up to date.

Don’t forget to use your health insurance tax form to file your 2015 federal income taxes! The 1095 tax forms you’ll need depend on whether you had health insurance coverage through the Marketplace or another source, like your job.

Congratulations on enrolling in 2016 health coverage! Now that you’re covered, here are a few tips to help you stay healthy and get the care you need.

If you enrolled in a Marketplace health insurance plan for 2015, you should have gotten tax Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement in the mail. If you have an online Marketplace account, it should be there too.

Check your 1095-A to make sure it’s correct

If you had a 2015 Marketplace health plan and used premium tax credits to lower your monthly payment, you'll need to "reconcile" when you file your federal tax return. Reconciling can affect either the amount of your refund or the amount of tax you owe.

Open Enrollment for a 2016 Marketplace health plan is over. But in some cases, you may still be able to get health insurance for 2016.

Most people who didn’t have qualifying health coverage in 2015 must either pay a fee or get a "health coverage exemption."

Exemptions are available based on a number of circumstances, like certain hardships, some life events, health coverage or financial status, and membership in some groups. If you qualify and get an exemption, you don’t have to pay the fee.

If you (or anyone in your household) had a Marketplace health plan for 2015, keep an eye out for Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement in the mail. It should arrive through the U.S. mail by mid-February, and it’ll also appear online in your Marketplace account.

You’ll need it to file your 2015 federal income tax return and figure out your final 2015 premium tax credit, if you qualify for one.

The last day to apply for and enroll in a Marketplace health insurance plan for 2016 was January 31, 2016.

Time is running out if you still need health coverage for 2016. Only a few days remain before the final January 31 deadline to enroll at HealthCare.gov.

As you begin to gather the information you need to file your taxes, it’s important to remember that information about your health coverage is now a part of the tax filing process.

Here’s what you need to know if you have Marketplace coverage:

Time is running out! You have until January 31, 2016 to join the millions of Americans who’ve already applied for and enrolled in a Marketplace health plan for 2016. That’s less than 2 weeks!

Don’t miss the deadline — get started now

• Preview 2016 plans and prices based on your income before you apply.
• Ready to apply? Select your state to start a new application.

Remember: Most people who apply will qualify for savings.

We’ve become aware of an email phishing scam targeted at HealthCare.gov users.

The phishing emails claim to come from HealthCare.gov and ask you to complete a verification process for 2016 tax returns through links that appears to go to HealthCare.gov.

If you receive an email like this with a link, it’s very important that you don’t click on it or copy it. It could take you to a malicious website intended to gain access to personal information, like your username, password, Social Security Number, or bank account numbers.

As we enter a new year, consider making your health a priority.

You have until January 31, 2016 to apply for and enroll in a Marketplace health insurance plan for 2016. At HealthCare.gov, you’ll see high-quality and affordable health coverage options available to you. In fact, most who apply will qualify for savings.

Need health insurance coverage for 2016? You have until January 15, 2016 to enroll in or change plans for 2016 health insurance starting on February 1, 2016.

If you enrolled in or changed Marketplace health plans by December 17, 2015, your coverage will start January 1, 2016.

Did you know that having health insurance when you can afford it is the law? If you can afford health insurance, but choose not to get it for 2016, you may be required to pay a fee — sometimes called the "penalty," "fine," or "individual mandate" — when you file your 2016 federal income taxes.

The good news is, affordable coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace is available. After financial help, 7 out of 10 people can find plans with premiums of less than $75 dollars per month. If you enroll by December 15, 2015, your coverage will start January 1, 2016.

The time to take action is now! The December 15, 2015 deadline to sign up for a Health Insurance Marketplace plan (so your coverage can start January 1, 2016) is quickly approaching. Be sure to apply and enroll today, so you don’t miss a day of being covered.

Put this at the top of your December “to do” list: get health coverage and the peace of mind that comes with it. Don’t miss a day of being covered.

To find the Marketplace health insurance plan that works best for your family, you should consider many different factors like the premium, the yearly deductible, what services are covered, and other details. While premiums can often be a deciding factor, other considerations could be just as important.

When you apply for health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace, you’ll find out if you qualify for savings. You may be eligible for a "premium tax credit" to lower the cost of your monthly premium. You also may be eligible for "cost-sharing reductions" — discounts that lower what you’ll pay out of your own pocket for medical care.

The Health Insurance Marketplace is open for business. You may be surprised to find out how affordable health insurance can be.

Starting today, you can apply for a 2016 health plan, renew your current plan, or pick a new plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Flu season is here, and getting a flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your family from this potentially serious disease. If you’re covered by a health plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace, you and your family can get free flu shots from a doctor or other provider in your plan’s network.

Your privacy is serious business. That’s why we always make sure we have important safeguards in place to protect the information you provide when you visit HealthCare.gov.

We’ve now introduced a tool that lets you easily control some of the information we may collect from you.

Starting November 1, you can enroll, re-enroll, or change plans through the Health Insurance Marketplace for 2016.

Take a few minutes to get ready now so you’ll be off to a great start when you log in as soon as November 1.

If you’ve had any changes to your household income, it’s important to let the Marketplace know as soon as possible. Your new income can affect the health coverage or savings you’re eligible for.

With 2016 Open Enrollment starting November 1, it’s a great time to sign up for reminders and updates from the Health Insurance Marketplace about 2016 coverage.

Wonder if you qualify for savings on health insurance?

We’ve created a quick and easy tool to help. Just enter your state and the number of people in your household.

There are many options for health insurance for young adults. You can:

• Get covered by a parent's health insurance plan.
• Buy your own Marketplace insurance, with savings based on your income.
• Buy a catastrophic health plan — a type of insurance that has a low monthly premium but mainly protects you from worst-case scenarios.
• Get free or low-cost health coverage through Medicaid.

If you’re getting ready to head back to college, don’t forget about putting one of the most important things on your college must-have list: health coverage.

Summer is the most popular season for moving. But there are some things you can’t pack in boxes — like the peace of mind you get from having health insurance.

No one plans to get sick or hurt, but most people need medical care – like a doctor visit, a prescription drug, a lab test, physical therapy, or counseling – at some point. These services can be expensive.

And if something happens that requires surgery or emergency medical care, it’s really important to have coverage. Fixing a broken leg can cost up to $7,500, and the average cost of a 3-day hospital stay is around $30,000.

The Health Insurance Marketplace offers a variety of high-quality health coverage choices for routine and non-routine medical services that can work for your family and budget.

If you have a health plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace and will soon have Medicare eligibility, it’s not too soon to start planning for your coverage to switch.

If you have a Marketplace plan now, you can keep it until your Medicare coverage starts. Then, you can cancel the Marketplace plan without penalty.

Medicare and Medicaid celebrate 50 years on July 30th!

In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Medicaid and Medicare into law. Medicare and Medicaid began as basic insurance programs for Americans without health insurance. Over the years they have continued to evolve, becoming the standard bearers for quality and innovation providing even more Americans with quality and affordable care.

You’ve got questions; we’ve got answers. Read these 5 questions to learn more about dental coverage in the Health Insurance Marketplace.

If you’re a small business owner, you know how important it is to offer high-quality, affordable health and dental coverage that meets the needs of your business and your employees. The Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Marketplace can help you do that by offering flexibility, choice, and the convenience of online application and account management.

Thinking about moving, getting married, having a baby, or changing jobs? When you make big decisions in life, you may be eligible to buy or change Health Insurance Marketplace coverage outside the yearly Open Enrollment Period.

Choosing a doctor is one of the most important decisions you'll make about your health care. Finding the right one can take a little work, but is well worth it. If you’ve already had your first visit with a primary care doctor under your new plan, ask yourself these 5 questions to make sure your doctor is the right one for you:

1. Did you feel the doctor cared about your health and about you as a person?
2. Did the doctor listen to you and address your needs?
3. Did the doctor use words you could understand and talk to you in a way that made you feel comfortable?
4. Was he or she respectful of your opinions, culture, and beliefs?
5. Did you feel like you could ask questions at the appointment or call the doctor later with questions?

Choosing the right doctor or other health care provider is one of the most important decisions you’ll make about your health care. You should look for a doctor you can trust and work with to improve your health and well-being.

The official first day of summer is right around the corner. As we enter a new season, it’s important to be proactive with your health. One simple way to manage your health is to practice preventive care.

As a new college graduate, you’re taking the next steps on your professional and personal journeys. If you’re heading into the working world, you may get health insurance through your job. But if you don’t get a job right away, you have options for health coverage. Here are 4 ways you can get covered:

If you enrolled in a plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace for 2014, you should’ve received an important tax statement in the mail, called Form 1095-A. This statement has information you need to fill out your 2014 federal income tax return.

Most people received a correct Form 1095-A. However, if we contacted you because your Form 1095-A is incorrect, here's one reason why. Some forms included the monthly premium amount of the second lowest cost Silver plan for 2015 instead of 2014. The incorrect amount is listed in Part III, Column B of the Form 1095-A. This doesn't mean your tax credit was incorrect; this is purely an error in what was printed on the form.

While Marketplace health coverage is important, there’s no substitute for living a healthy lifestyle. Staying healthy increases the chances you’ll be there for your family and friends for many years to come. Use your Marketplace health coverage when you are sick and when you are well, to help you live a long and healthy life. Here’s what you can do to put your health and well-being first:

Open enrollment for 2015 is over. But if you owe a fee on your taxes for not having health coverage in 2014 and don’t yet have health coverage for 2015, you may still be able to get coverage for 2015.

Most people who didn’t have qualifying health coverage in 2014 must either pay a fee or qualify for a “health coverage exemption.”

You may qualify for an exemption if you experienced certain life events, like changes in income, your household size, or health coverage, or if you’re a member of certain groups. If you qualify, you don’t have to pay the fee.

Open enrollment is over. But if you were trying to enroll on February 15 and couldn’t finish, you may still be able to get coverage.

There's still time to enroll in a plan for 2015 that meets your needs and budget, but time is running out to apply. February 15 is your last chance to enroll for coverage in 2015.

Starting in 2014, every person in the U.S. must have minimum health coverage or an exemption – otherwise they may pay a fee on their federal tax return. Many people without health coverage can get an exemption from the fee because of a special situation, like not having affordable health insurance plans available to you, having only a short gap in coverage, or being eligible for services through the Indian Health Service. Also, if you had coverage starting in May 2014 or earlier, you qualify for an exemption for those months in 2014 before your coverage started.

The United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT), part of the Department of Homeland Security, has reported an email phishing scam targeted at Marketplace consumers. The phishing emails claim to come from a U.S. Federal Government Agency and reference the Affordable Care Act in the subject line. All official Marketplace emails are from Marketplace@HealthCare.gov.

If you get this phishing email or any email you aren’t sure is legitimate, delete it immediately or ignore it. Here’s what else you need to know:

If you or anyone in your household enrolled in a health plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace in 2014, this tax season you’ll get a new Form 1095-A — Health Insurance Marketplace Statement. You’ll get it in the mail by early February and use it to file your 2014 federal income tax return. Keep it with other important tax information, like your W-2 forms and other tax records.

When you get Form 1095-A, make sure the information matches your records. Check things like coverage start and end dates and the number of people in your household. If you think anything’s wrong, contact the Marketplace Call Center.

Did you know that your health coverage may affect your taxes? If anyone in your household enrolled in a Marketplace plan in 2014, you’ll need some new information when you file your federal income taxes.

If you’ve enrolled in a plan and paid your first month’s premium, congratulations! Your enrollment is complete.

If you haven’t paid it yet, don’t wait. Follow the instructions from your insurer about how and when to make your first premium payment. Take careful note of the date the payment is due and be sure to send your payment by then. If you don’t, you may lose your coverage.

We’re working hard every day to improve your experience with HealthCare.gov. To do this, sometimes we have to perform maintenance and upgrades to the system.

Need coverage for 2015? There's still time to enroll in a plan for 2015 that meets your needs and budget. Your coverage can start on February 1 or March 1, depending on when you enroll. Open Enrollment ends on February 15, 2015.

If you bought a health insurance plan through the Marketplace in 2014, you’ll need to decide whether to renew your current plan (if it’s still offered) or change plans for 2015. To get started, check out the 5 Steps to Staying Covered.

Step 5 to staying covered is to enroll in a health plan for 2015.

Time is running out! There are only 4 days left to enroll in a health plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace with coverage starting on January 1. Act now to join the millions of Americans already enrolled in quality health coverage for 2015.

If you bought a health insurance plan through the Marketplace in 2014, you’ll need to decide whether to renew your current plan or change plans for 2015. To get started, check out the 5 Steps to Staying Covered.

Step 4 to staying covered is to choose a health plan for 2015. You can keep the same plan you had in 2014 (as long as it’s still offered) or select a new one that better fits your needs. If you want to stay enrolled in your 2014 plan, use the 14-digit plan ID in the letter you get from your health plan.

For Employers

Getting health coverage for your small business for 2015 is easier than ever before. For the first time, you can use the SHOP Marketplace to enroll online for coverage that starts as early as January 2015. Learn more about how to enroll with this step-by-step guide.

If you bought a health insurance plan through the Marketplace in 2014, you’ll need to decide whether to renew your current plan or change plans for 2015. To get started, check out the 5 Steps to Staying Covered.

It’s important to compare 2015 health plans to your current coverage (Step 3), because new and more affordable plans may be available this year.

If you try to reset your password and don’t get an email from the Marketplace, you may be using the wrong username. To make sure you’re using the right username and to log back in, follow 2 steps:

• Retrieve your username
• Reset your password

Starting today, you can fill out or update a Marketplace application and enroll in a 2015 plan.

• New to the Marketplace? You can preview plans and prices before you apply, fill out an application, and enroll in a 2015 plan that meets your needs and fits your budget.
• Do you have a 2014 plan? Starting today, you can compare 2015 plans and prices to your current coverage, update your application, and enroll in a 2015 plan.

A lot can change in a year. If you already have health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace, it’s important to update your 2015 application after November 15 with any changes in your income, household, or personal information.

By updating your information, you’ll be sure to see all the 2015 plan choices you’re eligible for and get the right amount of savings. If you don’t update your income information, you could miss out on additional savings to lower your monthly premiums.

Open Enrollment is the period when you can sign up for or renew a health plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Open Enrollment for 2015 coverage starts November 15, 2014 – just 5 days away.

If you already have health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace, it’s time to review your plan and decide if you want to make changes for 2015. You can choose to stay in your current plan (if it’s still offered) or change to a different plan.

Insurance companies can change a plan’s premiums, cost-sharing, and the benefits and services they cover each year. Every fall, your health insurance company sends you a notice explaining these changes. It’s important to review your plan’s 2015 health coverage to make sure it still meets your needs.

Open Enrollment for 2015 coverage starts in just 10 days. Starting November 15, you can fill out or update a Marketplace application and enroll in a 2015 plan. Until then, here are 10 ways you can get ready:

Did you know that if you bought a health insurance plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace in 2014, you can renew your current plan or enroll in a different plan for 2015? There may be new, more affordable health care plans available to you that weren’t an option last year, or you may find another plan that better fits your needs.

When you buy health coverage for your employees through the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Marketplace, you may qualify for a tax credit worth up to 50% of your premium contributions.

Two new tools are now available in Spanish on CuidadoDeSalud.gov to make it easier for small employers to understand and take full advantage of the benefits available from the SHOP.

Starting November 15th, you’ll be able to apply and enroll in 2015 Marketplace coverage. When you fill out a Marketplace application, you can compare plans based on price, benefits, and other important features. You’ll also find out if you qualify for free or low-cost coverage through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

If you’re eligible, the Health Insurance Marketplace can help you find affordable health coverage. Most people who apply qualify for premium tax credits and other savings based on their income.

The Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) offers a simpler way to find and buy health coverage that meets the needs of your employees—and your business.

To enroll in SHOP coverage, you must have 50 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees and meet certain other requirements.

Starting November 15, for the first time you’ll be able to enroll through the SHOP Marketplace entirely online. You can complete an application, choose coverage, and enroll yourself or you can work with an agent or broker.

We’re doing maintenance and upgrades to improve the site during certain time periods. The HealthCare.gov website itself is still available. This means you can learn about the Marketplace and be well prepared when the system is available again.

The Health Insurance Marketplace makes it easier to find quality, affordable coverage. Millions of Americans have already gotten coverage, many for the first time.

Now that you’ve found a doctor and had your first visit, you may be wondering what to do next. It’s important to follow through with your doctor’s recommendations.

When you applied for Marketplace coverage, you might have reported a lower household income than we could verify in our data sources. If so, it's important that you submit your proof of income documents to the Marketplace to fix this data matching issue. We need to verify your income so you can keep any help you get with Marketplace premiums and cost-sharing.

You must submit your documents by September 30th:

Time is running out. You may get a letter this week telling you that if you don't submit your documents by September 30, 2014, your help with Marketplace costs like your monthly premiums, deductible, copayments, or coinsurance may change or end.

Are you ready for the next Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment Period? Open Enrollment is the time when you can apply for a new Marketplace plan, keep your current plan, or pick a new one.

Your health and well-being are important and personal. You should choose a doctor or other health care provider that you can work with, trust, and feel comfortable talking to.

Thinking about moving, getting married or having a baby? When you make big decisions in life, you may also become eligible for Marketplace coverage outside of Open Enrollment through a Special Enrollment Period.

Use our screener now to find out if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

On your first visit to a new provider, remember to bring your insurance card, photo ID, and your copay if you have one. It’s also important to show up early for your appointment!

This first visit will help your provider understand your health and lifestyle so you can work together to make improvements.

Help your kids start the new school year strong by making sure they get the health coverage they need. With Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), they can get check-ups, immunizations, eye exams, and other care they need to participate in classroom and after-school activities.

When you make your appointment, it’s important that you have your insurance card or other documentation available, in case you’re asked to provide insurance information.

We’ve been reaching out to some of you by mail, email, and phone if some information you gave us on your Health Insurance Marketplace application doesn’t match the data we have on file. It’s important that you submit the documents we need so we can help you stay covered through the Marketplace and keep any help you get with premiums and cost-sharing.

We know you’re listening because we’re getting thousands of documents every day and are working around the clock to review these documents to confirm you are eligible for Marketplace coverage. If you’ve mailed or uploaded documents already, we’ll let you know as soon as we’ve finished reviewing them.

Choosing the right provider is one of the most important decisions you’ll make about your health care. We can help you find the right one.

Remember, you’re looking for a provider you can trust and work with to improve your health and well-being, so take time to think about what you need. Depending on how complicated your health care needs are, you may need to see more than one type of provider.

Your kids can get the care they need for allergies, asthma, or just a common cold. And you can breathe easier knowing that coverage is just a click or phone call away.

Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) offer free or low-cost health coverage for kids and teens up to age 19. Parents may be eligible for Medicaid too.

It’s important that you know where to go for medical care when you need it. There are some big differences between visits to your primary care provider and visits to the emergency room, such as cost, time spent waiting for care, and follow up.

Getting regular medical care: Primary care providers work with you to ensure that you get the right preventive services, manage your chronic conditions, and improve your health. Before you go to the doctor’s office, clinic, or health center, visit your health plan’s website and check their provider directory online. You can also call your insurer directly with questions or call a provider to see if they accept your health plan.

Young adults have several options for getting covered through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

1. Apply during a Special Enrollment Period

You may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period and not even know it. Did you recently get married, have a baby, adopt a child, or move? Did your student health plan just expire? If so, you may be able to get Marketplace coverage outside of Open Enrollment.

Health coverage pays for provider services, medications, hospital care, and special equipment when you’re sick. It’s also important when you’re not sick. Marketplace coverage includes preventive health services like immunizations for children and adults, annual doctor visits for women and seniors, screening and counseling for people of all ages, and more. The best news – it’s free.

Once you have Marketplace coverage, it’s important to report life changes. This information may change the coverage or savings you’re eligible for. Here are 7 things to know about reporting life changes:

While Marketplace health coverage is important, there’s no substitute for living a healthy lifestyle. Staying healthy increases the chances you’ll be there for your family and friends for many years to come. Use your Marketplace health coverage when you are sick and when you are well, to help you live a long and healthy life.

If you lose your job and are no longer covered through your employer, you may be able to find affordable health coverage in the Marketplace.

Use our screener now to find out if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

While most people provided all the data they needed on their applications, some consumers were asked for follow-up when they applied for Marketplace coverage. If we asked you for information to back up what you put on your application, we need your help. Sometimes the information in your application doesn’t match what we found in other records. You were still able to finish the enrollment process, but you need to follow up as soon as possible and provide more documents to make sure the Marketplace has the correct information.

We’re working hard to make it easy for you to keep your current Marketplace coverage when your health plan comes up for renewal.

Affordable coverage options are available in the Health Insurance Marketplace for immigrant families. If you’ve recently moved to the United States and had a change in your immigration status, here are some things you should know about Marketplace coverage:

1. In order to buy private health insurance through the Marketplace, you must be a U.S. citizen or be lawfully present in the United States. See a list of immigration statuses that qualify for Marketplace coverage.

If you’re one of the millions of Americans who recently obtained health coverage through the new Health Insurance Marketplace, Medicaid, or the Children’s Health Insurance (CHIP), From Coverage to Care materials can help answer questions you might have so you can make the most of your health coverage. Resources are available at marketplace.cms.gov/c2c. Some of the topics covered include:

It’s not too late to give your father a special gift. Let the dads in your life know that health insurance is available through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Enrollment is open all year round. Children and teens up to 19 can qualify for free or low-cost coverage – and parents may be eligible too.

Use our screener now to find out if you may qualify for Medicaid and CHIP.

Even though open enrollment is over, you may still have options to get health coverage this year.

Just answer a few questions to find out if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, Medicaid, or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Special Enrollment Periods

If you experience a qualifying life event, you’ll still be able to sign up for private insurance in the Marketplace.

College students and recent graduates have several options for finding coverage in the Health Insurance Marketplace.

1. Special Enrollment Periods for College Grads

If your student health plan is ending, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period to sign up for private health insurance in the Marketplace.

During National Small Business Week and every week, we recognize and thank you for your important contributions to the nation.

Whether you’re a small employer or a sole proprietor, the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) can help you find health coverage for yourself and your employees.

Find out how the SHOP Marketplace can help your small business.

Mother’s Day might be behind us but it’s not too late to give your mother a special gift. Let the moms in your life know that health insurance is available through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Enrollment is open all year round. Children and teens up to 19 can qualify for free or low-cost coverage – and parents may be eligible too.

Find out how to get Medicaid or CHIP coverage.

Open Enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace is closed for 2014, but you may still have options to get health coverage this year. And if you joined the millions of Americans who have already signed up for Marketplace coverage, we can help you learn how to use it.

Your options after March 31, 2014

The next open enrollment period begins on November 15, 2014 for coverage that can begin as early as January 1, 2015.

You can apply for Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage, even though Marketplace Open Enrollment for 2014 is over.

Medicaid and CHIP are joint state and federal programs that provide coverage to millions of Americans with limited incomes and some people with disabilities.

There’s no limited enrollment period for these programs. You can apply any time. If you qualify, you (or a family member) can enroll immediately.

Now that you’ve joined the millions of Americans enrolled in the Medicaid program or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), it’s important to use your new coverage.

If you have questions, contact your state Medicaid or CHIP agency. When you visit these two pages, just scroll down and select your state from the menu at the bottom.

Now that you’ve joined millions of Americans in getting coverage, you need to learn how to use it.

Here are some steps you can take right now to ensure that you have access to health care once your coverage begins. Follow the links below to learn how to confirm your enrollment with your insurance company, fill a prescription, get care when and where you need it, and appeal a decision by your insurance company.

The special enrollment period has ended for consumers who tried to enroll by the March 31 deadline. See if you can still get coverage through the Marketplace or Medicaid/CHIP.

We know many of you worked hard to finish enrolling in a health plan in the Health Insurance Marketplace. Sometimes despite your best efforts, you might have run into delays caused by heavy traffic to HealthCare.gov or our call center, maintenance periods, or other special situations that prevented you from finishing the process on time.

As we enter the final days of this historic open enrollment period, more than 6 million Americans have signed up for coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplaces since October 1, thanks to the Affordable Care Act.

Consumers have only a few days left to get 2014 coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Open enrollment in the Marketplace ends March 31.

Affordable plans are still available. Across the country, 6 out of 10 uninsured Americans can get covered for $100 per month or even less – some for a lot less.

Choosing a health plan can be complicated. We can help you understand how to compare Marketplace plans and choose one that’s right for you.

Last month, we gave you 6 reasons to #GetCovered. And last week, President Obama and Zach Galifianakis showed you that young people aren’t invincible or invisible.

Here are 6 more reasons to enroll in Marketplace coverage:

There are some quick steps you can take right now that will help you find and enroll in a health insurance plan that works for you.

It’s easy to apply now and most people qualify for savings.

LaNika, Lawrence, and Molly all found Marketplace coverage on HealthCare.gov for less than $100 a month. Lizelle is covered for the first time in years!

Open enrollment ends March 31. We're ready to help.

More Americans every day are finding quality, affordable coverage on the Health Insurance Marketplace.

We recently announced that enrollment in the Marketplace continued to rise in February to a five-month total of 4.2 million. These numbers demonstrate that our aggressive outreach is helping to make a difference – with millions of Americans now enjoying the peace of mind that comes with new coverage.

No matter what state you live in, you'll be able to use the Health Insurance Marketplace to apply for health coverage. This is true whether your state runs its own Marketplace or the federal government runs it for your state.

Get lower costs and compare plans where you live

When you apply for Marketplace coverage, you may be able to get lower costs based on your income and family size. You can also compare plans and see how much you can save before you apply.

There’s still time to see how much you can save in the Health Insurance Marketplace.

It’s easy to get started – just answer a few questions and we’ll tell you if you qualify for lower costs on coverage. We’ll also show you a list of plans available in your area.

See plans and prices now.

Most people will qualify for lower costs on health coverage. In fact, 6 out of 10 uninsured Americans can get coverage for $100 per month or less.

As we head into the final weeks of open enrollment, HealthCare.gov and CuidadoDeSalud.gov are ready to serve you. We all deserve the security and the peace of mind that comes from having health coverage that we can count on when we need it most. And we continue to make the application process easier for you.

Click here and select your state to enroll online.

Here are some of the ways we’ve improved the consumer experience, especially mindful of the complex family situations that members of the immigrant community may face in particular:

There are just 4 weeks left for you to get quality, affordable health coverage in the Health Insurance Marketplace. It’s easy to apply now.

Your last chance to enroll for 2014 coverage is March 31.

Click here and select your state to enroll now.

With five weeks left until the end of open enrollment, more than 4 million Americans have enrolled in private health insurance in the Health Insurance Marketplace.

We don't want you to miss your opportunity to get affordable health coverage as soon as possible.

We’re committed to updating you on our progress as we work to improve HealthCare.gov. Check back often to get the latest information on the status of our site.

And remember, there are several different ways you can apply for coverage.

Thursday, February 27: Ready to serve millions more

Consumers are applying and enrolling in quality, affordable health coverage every day using HealthCare.gov and State-based Marketplaces around the country. More than 3 million have enrolled so far, and we hope millions more will do so by March 31, the end of open enrollment.

From Saturday February 15, 2014 at 3:00PM until Tuesday, February 18, 2014 at 5:00AM EST, the Social Security Administration will conduct required, regularly scheduled systems maintenance activities over the three day weekend. During this period, verification of Social Security Numbers and other related data via the Data Services Hub will be unavailable. All other services of the Hub will be functioning as normal.

There are affordable plans available in the Health Insurance Marketplace right now. You may find health insurance for $50 a month or less.

We don't want you to miss your opportunity to get affordable health coverage as soon as possible.

If you want coverage that will start as early as April 1, 2014, make sure that you complete your application and enroll in a plan by March 15, 2014.

Click here and select your state to enroll online.

The Health Insurance Marketplace is making it easier to find quality, affordable coverage. Millions of Americans are getting covered, many for the first time.

More than 3 million have enrolled in private health insurance since October and 6.3 million were determined eligible for Medicaid or coverage in the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Deductibles, premiums, copayments, and coinsurance, are important for you to consider when choosing a health insurance plan. You can compare health plans and see if you qualify for lower costs before you apply. Most people who apply will be eligible for help paying for health coverage.

When sickness or injury strike, having health insurance can mean the difference between falling and getting back up and dropping out of the game.

I know, because I was at the top of my game - I felt invincible - but when I went for my regular team physical it turned out I had a serious kidney disease. Thankfully it was caught in time to treat it and luckily, I was insured.

Since October 1st, more than 6 million people have enrolled in coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace or Medicaid.

If you’ve completed an application and chosen a plan on the Marketplace, you may still need to take a couple of steps in order to ensure that your coverage takes effect. Most important, you need to pay your first month’s premium on time. Follow the instructions from your insurer about how and when to make your premium payment and the due date. You should also contact the plan you selected to confirm that enrollment has, in fact, taken place.

We know many of you have been working hard to finish enrolling in a health plan in the Health Insurance Marketplace. Even though we have passed the December 23 enrollment deadline for coverage starting January 1, we don’t want you to miss out if you’ve been trying to enroll.

Sometimes despite your best efforts, you might have run into delays caused by heavy traffic to HealthCare.gov, maintenance periods, or other issues with our systems that prevented you from finishing the process on time. If this happened to you, don’t worry – we still may be able to help you get covered as soon as January 1.

For millions of Americans quality, affordable coverage is just around the corner. And making sure people know about the new options available to them, and providing a smooth transition to this new day for coverage is our top priority

Providing a smooth transition

We’ve taken a number of steps to help you:

1. You now have more time to enroll and pay your premium
2. We’ve improved the window shopping experience on HealthCare.gov
3. PCIP enrollees can continue their coverage through January 2014.

Welcome back to the Health Insurance Marketplace! We’ve made many improvements over the last eight weeks to help you complete your enrollment.

Here are some of the new features you’ll find on HealthCare.gov:

More robust window shopping. You can now see detailed information about each Marketplace health insurance plan offered in your area before you apply. This new tool will allow you to see plan prices displayed much more accurately, based on the household information you supply. You can compare plans, covered benefits, physician and hospital networks, and more. No login or application required. Just answer a few simple questions to see plans and prices in your area. You will still need to complete the application to find out how you can get lower costs, but this is a much enhanced version of earlier information and one more way you can get the information you need to help you get ready to enroll and find a plan that fits your needs and budget.

We know that the initial consumer experience has been frustrating for many of you. We're committed to making things better and providing the help and health coverage you need.

In particular, many people told us they had problems creating their Marketplace accounts – that things got “stuck” somewhere along the way and they never got across the finish line. We’re working hard to fix all of the technical problems on HealthCare.gov and we can report that most users are now able to successfully create online Marketplace accounts.

You’ll know if you had problems with your account if you never got to see a big “SUCCESS” screen. Maybe the security questions froze, or you never got an email with a verification link, or the email link didn’t work. If this sounds like your experience, now is the time to try again to create a Marketplace account.

We know using HealthCare.gov has been frustrating for many Americans. The initial consumer experience of HealthCare.gov has not lived up to the expectations of the American people. We are committed to doing better.

We’ve been gathering feedback since the day we launched – from our customer service representatives, social media channels, and through hundreds of thousands of online surveys and comments. And we’re listening.

We’ve been making changes to respond directly to your feedback and will continue to do so. A few of our most important changes so far:

Open enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace is here and we’re working hard to help you get covered. We’re making improvements to HealthCare.gov and more people are applying and getting covered every day.

How to apply for Marketplace coverage

The Health Insurance Marketplace is open! You can now enroll in a health insurance plan that covers essential benefits, pre-existing conditions, and preventive services.

Most people who apply for coverage will qualify for lower costs of some kind in the Marketplace.

Open enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace is coming soon. Here’s how you can get ready to enroll starting October 1, 2013.

You can apply for health coverage, compare all your options, and enroll in a plan in one streamlined application through the Health Insurance Marketplace. When open enrollment begins October 1, 2013, you can fill out your application and see the health coverage options available to you.

Have you met Alejandra?

Alejandra is an ambitious student with big dreams. She is looking forward to college and has plans to become a health professional – just like her big sister Mayra. And like millions of young adults across the country, Alejandra does not have health insurance.

Making ends meet. Trying to make something of herself.

Alejandra’s sister Mayra explained:

There’s a new way to get help with your application for coverage in the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Visit LocalHelp.HealthCare.gov to find help in your area. You can search by city and state or ZIP code to see a list of local organizations with contact information, office hours, and types of help offered, such as non-English language support, Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP).

We have good news for women who care about their health! You have new rights and protections in the Health Insurance Marketplace starting in 2014.

Here are 4 things for women to know about the Health Insurance Marketplace:

Sooner or later, everyone needs health insurance. This is true even if you’re healthy and under 30 like Jaime and Malik.

The Health Insurance Marketplace provides you with several options that put you in control of your coverage and care.

1. If you’re under 26, you may be able to get covered on a parent’s health insurance plan. This applies to you even if you are at school, not living at home, eligible for an employer’s plan, or not financially dependent on your parents. It even applies to you if you are married.

Have you met Malik?

Malik is a 23 year old bartender and server who works in the restaurant industry.

He works on his feet all day and like millions of Americans, Malik does not have health insurance because he can’t afford it.

Can’t afford insurance. Can’t afford to miss work.

You and your family may be eligible for free screenings, vaccines, counseling, and other preventive services to keep you healthy.

All health plans in the Health Insurance Marketplace and many other plans must cover the preventive services below without charging you a copayment or coinsurance. This applies even if you haven’t met your yearly deductible.

1. Preventive care for all adults: 15 preventive services

2. Preventive care for women: 22 preventive services

3. Preventive care for children: 25 preventive services

4. Medicare preventive care: 23 preventive services

Have you met Howard?

Howard is a self-employed software designer who needs health insurance.

He designs health care software and like millions of Americans, Howard has been denied health insurance coverage because of a pre-existing condition.

Uninsurable until 2014

Howard shared his story with us:

Every health insurance plan sold in the Marketplace will offer 10 essential health benefits.

What’s covered in the Health Insurance Marketplace

These essential health benefits include at least the following items and services:

1. Outpatient care—the kind you get without being admitted to a hospital
2. Trips to the emergency room
3. Treatment in the hospital for inpatient care
4. Care before and after your baby is born
5. Mental health and substance use disorder services: This includes behavioral health treatment, counseling, and psychotherapy
6. Your prescription drugs
7. Services and devices to help you recover if you are injured, or have a disability or chronic condition. This includes physical and occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, psychiatric rehabilitation, and more.
8. Your lab tests
9. Preventive services including counseling, screenings, and vaccines to keep you healthy and care for managing a chronic disease.
10. Pediatric services: This includes dental care and vision care for kids

Have you met Lupita?

Lupita is a single mother and a registered dental assistant who is worried about health insurance.

She works overtime to provide for her daughter and like millions of Americans, Lupita does not have health insurance because she can’t afford it.

Uninsured and making ends meet

Lupita shared her story with us:

Your best protection against fraud is you! Starting October 1, 2013, you can apply for health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace, on HealthCare.gov. A few simple things can protect you from fraud, while getting you the coverage you need.

1. Be informed.

2. Protect your private health care and financial information.

3. Ask questions and verify the answers you get.

4. Report anything suspicious.

Have you met Jaime?

Jaime’s a 27-year-old college graduate who hasn’t been to the doctor since her 11th grade physical. She makes less than $20,000 a year. Like millions of Americans, Jaime does not have health insurance.

Sometimes you need more than a good night's sleep

There’s a lot to the health care law. But it’s based on a few simple principles, which we’ve described below in a mere 214 words. Follow the links for more details.

• If you have health coverage you like, you can keep it. Children under 26 can stay on a parent’s health insurance plan.

• If you don’t have coverage, you can use the new Health Insurance Marketplace to buy a private insurance plan.

• Pre-existing conditions are covered. So are many preventive services and 10 essential health benefits.

The Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) is a new program that simplifies the process of buying health insurance for your small business. And now there’s a new way to get help with your health insurance questions– the Health Insurance Marketplace Small Employer call center.

Call us right now to get your SHOP and small business questions answered by a customer service representative at 1-800-706-7893 or (TTY: 1-800-706-7915 ). The call center is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST.

Open enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace begins on October 1, but in the meantime you can create a Health Insurance Marketplace account on HealthCare.gov right now to get ready.

How to create your Health Insurance Marketplace account

Get started in 3 easy steps:

1. Provide some basic information like your name, address, and email address
2. Choose a user name and password
3. Create security questions for added protection

There are several ways you can save money in the Health Insurance Marketplace. How you save, and how much you save, depends on several things, including family size and income.

1. You may be able to get lower costs on your monthly premiums when you enroll in a Marketplace health insurance plan.
2. You may qualify for lower out-of-pocket costs for copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.
3. You or your child may get free or low-cost coverage through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
4. You can’t be charged more for a pre-existing condition or because you are a woman.
5. You may be able to be covered on your parent’s insurance plan if you’re under 26.
6. You may be able to buy a lower-premium “catastrophic” coverage plan, if you’re under 30.
7. Small businesses may qualify for the expanded small business health care tax credit.

Since we launched the new HealthCare.gov on June 21st, we’ve received thousands of questions and comments on the website, through the call center, and on our social media channels.

We’re listening and we value your feedback!

Here’s some new content visitors have asked for that answers important questions about dental care, breastfeeding, and coverage for part-time employees:

• Can I get dental care in the Marketplace? In the Health Insurance Marketplace, you generally can get dental coverage as part of a health plan or by itself through a separate, stand-alone dental plan. Learn more about dental care »

We know you’ve got questions about the new Health Insurance Marketplace. We’ve received thousands of them over the past month.

Answering your questions is central to our mission:

• We launched the new HealthCare.gov to feature an easy-to-understand question and answer format, with content based on the most common questions we hear from you.
• We provided you with new way get your health insurance options and info—just answer a few quick questions and we’ll provide you with a personalized list of coverage options, content tailored to your situation, and a checklist to help you get ready.

We know there are lots of questions surrounding the new Health Insurance Marketplace coming in 2014. That’s why we’ve updated HealthCare.gov with you - the consumer - in mind.

Get to Know the Marketplace: We’re holding our first-ever Health Insurance Marketplace Hangout at 2:30pm on July 10, 2013. And we’re taking your questions using the hashtag #HCgovHangout. Visit HealthCare.gov on Google+ to learn more.

Get Answers Right Away: There’s a new way for you to learn about the Health Insurance Marketplace and your coverage options. Just answer a few quick questions and we’ll provide you with a personalized list of programs you may be eligible for, content you’ll want to read, and a checklist to help you get ready. Note: Specific plans and prices won’t be available until October 1. Start Now

Health insurance is changing in important ways in 2014. We’ve updated HealthCare.gov to help you get ready for those changes, especially one of the most important: the opening of the new Health Insurance Marketplace.

Answering your questions about health coverage

Our mission is to help you understand your new health coverage options so you can enroll in a plan that works for you and your family. If you run a small business, we’ll help you find a plan that works for you and your employees. Self-employed? We’ve got that covered too.

New features include:

If you’re uninsured, there’s a new way for you to buy health insurance for 2014. It’s called the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Getting covered in the Health Insurance Marketplace

No matter where you live, you can use the Marketplace to find a high-quality health plan and enroll to get coverage. With one application you can compare plans based on price, benefits, and other important features before you decide. You’ll also see if you qualify to save money on monthly premiums or out-of-pocket costs—or for free or low-cost health coverage options.