2016 Open Enrollment Period Begins Nov. 1

Need health insurance? Open enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace for 2016 begins November 1, 2015, and runs through January 31, 2016. The Marketplace was established by the Affordable Care Act, and on the website, you can browse and purchase health insurance and apply for subsidies. Your healthcare coverage can start as early as January 1, 2016.

Please note: You can apply for Medicaid/CHIP at any time of the year, but if you do not qualify for these programs, make sure you take advantage of the open enrollment period. You cannot apply to the marketplace outside of open enrollment, with a few exceptions. These potential special enrollment period opportunities include: having a baby, getting married, changing job status, gaining citizenship or moving. Remember that open enrollment rules apply not only to federal and state marketplace plans, but also to individual insurance plans purchased directly from insurance companies.

For more information, visit healthcare.gov. You can also direct your insurance questions to Nephrology's Insurance Specialist Social Worker, Sarah Ramos, at 267-426-1185.