Deadline approaches for Affordable Care Act

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Affordable Care Act open enrollment period is nearing its deadline and people should be aware of the information.

Project director, Kathryn Rehner said, "What the deadline is about is making sure people don't lapse coverage. So, for individuals who currently have plans in the marketplace, the deadline for them to re-enroll in a plan that would start Jan. 1, is Dec. 15."

Uninsured people who want to enroll in Mississippi Health Access Collaborative will also need to enroll by Dec. 15 to have a year-long plan that will start on Jan 1.

"It's important for us to remember that health matters, that coverage matters, that being insured and having access to care offers a lot of financial freedom and stability for individuals and families," said Rehner.

The Affordable Care Act will not change in 2017, despite a new Federal Administration.

Rehner said "individuals who have coverage for 2017 or who sign up for coverage for 2017 will be able to keep their coverage for that year. There haven't been any guarantees beyond that. The hope is that the new administration will make something that's even better than what we have."

Rehner said people can sign up until Jan. 31, but the start date of the coverage would change.