Affordable Health Care Marketplace Open Enrollment Underway

Monday begins a new month and the start of open enrollment in the federal Affordable Care Act marketplace.

The deadline is Jan. 15 to apply for new health insurance for 2022, or renew, change, or update your 2021 health plan for 2022. For coverage that starts Jan. 1, 2022 the deadline is to enroll is Dec. 15.

Sign up can be done online at HealthCare.gov

"The pandemic has underscored just how important it is that all Granite Staters have equal access to quality, affordable healthcare. Many Granite Staters have faced new physical and mental challenges during the pandemic," Sen. Maggie Hassan said on Monday about the start of the enrollment period. "And it's been health insurance that has connected them with resources and the care they need to get better and to improve their lives."

Hassan said that even those who already have health insurance may want to look at the ACA website as provisions in the American Rescue Plan helped to bring down some costs.

"These tax credits are helping to lower premiums by potentially thousands of dollars in 2021 and 2022," Hassan said.

There is also financial aid available to help lower monthly premiums.

The senator said that those who already get their healthcare from the marketplace should take a look to see if a different plan might be beneficial.

"It's really important to compare where your family is in terms of the kind of healthcare and support it needs to the options that the plans provide," Hassan said.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH