by Brooke Jarchow

If you have not yet signed up for health insurance, the deadline to sign up for coverage that begins January 1, 2017 has passed. However, Open Enrollment continues until January 31, 2017 so you can still enroll in coverage. 

While your coverage may not begin until at least February depending on when you enroll, it is important to enroll before Open Enrollment ends to avoid the tax penalty, or the fine for going uninsured. You can be charged a tax penalty if you are able to afford health insurance coverage but chose not to enroll in a health plan. Despite the uncertainty at the federal level surrounding the Affordable Care Act, it remains the law, so individuals should secure coverage now to avoid a potential tax penalty in the future.

If you had a 2016 Marketplace health plan and did not choose a new plan by December 15, 2016, you were likely re-enrolled in the same plan for 2017. However, new plans may be available that could be more affordable or your old plan may not be available for the upcoming year, so take time to compare your options for 2017 before Open Enrollment ends.

For those who have not yet signed up for health insurance and were not re-enrolled in a plan, there is no planned deadline extension for Open Enrollment, so your final deadline for Open Enrollment is January 31, 2017.

Ready to find coverage or need help getting started? Visit GoHealth.com to find a 2017 plan that is right for you.