starting october 1 2013 state-based marketplaces will be open for business. these are essentially online health insurance shopping malls where you'll be able to compare health plans side-by-side and then purchase a plan. if you qualify for a subsidy to lower your insurance costs you'll learn that as you fill out an application online (you'll also have the option of applying in person if you prefer to do so). public announcements are only now getting underway in some parts of the country to inform people about the marketplaces what they are and where to go. but you can check with your state's department of health to learn more about it. a good place to find your state's contact information is on healthcare. gov. here's the link where consumer assistance programs around the country are listed. another good idea is to sign yourself up for email updates from the government to learn about the marketplace in your state and its progress. you can do that here. open enrollment as i mentioned starts october 1 2013 and it will run through march 31 2014. if you sign up by december 15 2013 your coverage will begin january 1 2014.
how do i buy insurance through the marketplace? when do i need to do it?