By Theo Smith, Associate, Marketing & Communications 

The COVID-19 pandemic is an ongoing national public health emergency with unprecedented challenges. Millions of Americans are facing uncertainty and experiencing new health problems during the pandemic. Many Americans remain uninsured or underinsured and need affordable, comprehensive health insurance coverage. The Biden Administration has reopened enrollment in Marketplace insurance plans on HealthCare.gov to allow Americans to find health insurance plans that fit their needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Starting Feb. 15 and continuing through May 15, HealthCare.gov will provide Americans access to health insurance plans through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace.  

All eligible users may submit new applications or update existing applications to enroll in 2021 health insurance coverage. Learn more about 2021 Special Enrollment Period eligibility from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. 

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, almost 15 million uninsured people are eligible to buy coverage through the ACA Marketplace. About nine million of them qualify for free or reduced-cost premiums, and Congress is considering making more people eligible for free plans and greatly reducing the cost of premiums for everyone else.  

Health plans found on HealthCare.gov include affordable and comprehensive coverage, ensuring people with chronic diseases and disabilities have access to the care they need. Additionally, plans on HealthCare.gov can’t charge more for pre-existing conditions and must cover medicines and doctor visits. 

This new enrollment period provides people who missed the 2021 Open Enrollment period another opportunity to sign up for ACA Marketplace health insurance plans. Nearly all states are participating, so go to HealthCare.gov to ensure this is available in your state. Since the ACA Marketplace opened, millions of Americans with chronic diseases and disabilities have received better access to affordable health insurance coverage.  

The National Health Council (NHC) strives to ensure people with chronic diseases and disabilities have access to meaningful and affordable health insurance. During the 2021 Special Enrollment Period, you can help promote health insurance enrollment by sharing our messages and graphics here.