CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- There's a second chance for people who missed the opportunity to sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act.
Governor JB Pritzker announced Thursday that enrollment in the Affordable Care Act health insurance marketplace will reopen on Monday, Feb. 15 and remain open through May 15.
The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, offers subsidized health insurance plans for people who do not have access to affordable health coverage through their employer and who do not qualify for Medicaid.
The enrollment period for 2021 was last October and November, but President Biden signed an executive order opening the special enrollment period in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in states that participate in the federal marketplace.
In addition to signing up for a new plan, people who are already enrolled in an ACA plan can change to another.
In Illinois, the marketplace is known as Get Covered Illinois. People interested in signing up or changing their coverage can visit www.getcoveredillinois.gov.
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Hoosiers also have the opportunity to purchase health insurance during the special enrollment period.
Starting Feb. 15, Indiana residents seeking to take advantage of the special enrollment period can find out if they are eligible by visiting HealthCare.gov. If eligible, residents can enroll and select a plan with coverage that starts the first of the month after plan selection. The premium must be paid by the 15th of the month after plan selection for coverage to start on the first of the next month. If the premium is paid between the 16th and the end of the month, coverage will start on the first of the month after next. You will have 30 days after submitting your application to choose a plan.