You may think you don't need health insurance, that it's too expensive, or not worth the trouble. While nobody plans to get sick or hurt, bad things happen, even to healthy people. The good news is that enrolling in a 2020 Marketplace health plan may be more affordable and easier than you think. You have until December 15, 2019 to sign up. Coverage starts January 1, 2020.

Before you apply for 2020 Marketplace health insurance starting November 1, there are several things to consider that’ll help you choose the plan that’s right for you.

All Marketplace plans cover essential health benefits, pre-existing conditions, and preventive care. This is true for all plan categories (all “metal levels,” including Catastrophic plans) and all plan types (like HMO and PPO). Starting November 1, 2019, you can enroll in or renew a plan for 2020, so you can continue to get these benefits.

Here are some important 2020 Open Enrollment dates to mark on your calendar:

Summer is here! Here’s how you can be more proactive with your health this season:

Did you know you can use Marketplace health insurance benefits even when you’re not sick? Here’s how you can take advantage of your health insurance benefits all the time:

It’s important to understand what services are covered by your insurance plan and what your costs may be before your doctor’s appointment. Here are some questions to ask:

Tax day is right around the corner! Don’t miss the April 15, 2019 deadline to file 2018 taxes and report your health coverage. No matter how you got health coverage — whether through the Health Insurance Marketplace, your job, or another source — you must report your 2018 coverage status to the IRS when you file taxes.

If you had a Marketplace plan and used advance payments of the premium tax credit (APTC) to lower your monthly payment, you’ll have to "reconcile" when you file your 2018 taxes.

If anyone in your household had Marketplace health insurance in 2018, you should have already received Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement, in the mail.

2018 tax filing season starts January 29, 2019. You must report information about your 2018 health coverage when you file. If you had Marketplace health insurance in 2018, check out these 3 tips:

Now that you’re enrolled in a health plan for 2019, you can use your new coverage for regular and emergency care, prescription drugs, and preventive care.

Starting in 2019, take advantage of the free preventive services — like flu shots and screening tests — available with your Marketplace plan.

Now that you’ve enrolled in 2019 Marketplace insurance, you must pay your monthly premium for your coverage to start. You pay your premiums directly to the insurance company.

Staying healthy is important. This Thanksgiving, give yourself the peace of mind that comes with having health insurance. You have until December 15, 2018 to enroll in or change health insurance for 2019.

All Marketplace plans cover the same set of essential health benefits, preventive care, and pre-existing conditions. Starting November 1 you can enroll in or renew a plan for 2019, so you’ll continue to have access to these benefits.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu shot every year. With your Marketplace health plan, your flu shot is free from a provider in your plan's network.

Health insurance isn’t only for when you’re sick. You can use it to maintain your health. Understanding how your coverage works before you need care can also make things easier if you get sick.

Did you know all Marketplace plans must cover treatment for pre-existing medical conditions, like asthma, diabetes, and cancer?

Your relationships with your doctors and other care providers can have a big impact on your health care. Now that you’re covered, there are resources to help you pick doctors, hospitals, and other providers that work for you and your plan.

Did you know that all plans offered in the Marketplace cover the same set of essential health benefits? Essential health benefits are minimum requirements for all Marketplace plans.

This summer, take advantage of the free preventive services available with your Marketplace health plan. These services can prevent health problems or detect them at an early stage when treatment is likely to work best.

For quick answers to your health coverage questions — including managing your health coverage, finding forms and documents, or understanding costs and savings — visit the Get Answers page. You can also get information on completing your enrollment, finding plans and prices, and getting coverage.

This summer, put your health and well-being first. Take advantage of the free preventive services offered by your Marketplace plan and take steps to live a healthy lifestyle.

Now that you've found a doctor you trust, there are several steps you can take to maintain your good health.

Your health and well-being are important and personal. You should have a doctor you trust and feel comfortable with.

If you have certain types of life changes — like losing health coverage, moving, getting married, or having a baby — you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period to enroll in a Marketplace plan for the rest of 2018.

Don’t miss the April 17, 2018, deadline to file 2017 taxes and report your health coverage! No matter how you got health coverage — whether through the Marketplace, your job, or another source — you must report your 2017 coverage status to the IRS when you file taxes.

Visiting the doctor soon? Here are 5 things you can do to get ready.

Choosing a provider you trust is one of the most important decisions you’ll make about your health care, and finding the right one can take a little work. Follow these 4 steps to help you choose:

You can get health care in many different places, but it’s best to get routine care from a primary care doctor. Visiting your primary care doctor usually costs much less than visiting the emergency room, and you’ll spend less time waiting. Check out these 3 tips to know where to go for medical care:

After you enrolled in Marketplace insurance, you probably got a membership package in the mail with information about your coverage. You may have also gotten a card or other document as proof of your insurance. (If you didn’t get a card, contact your health plan.)

Insurance plans can differ in which providers you can see and how much you have to pay. It’s important to understand your costs and key health insurance terms, so you’ll know what services your plan will pay for and how much each visit or medicine will cost.

You can use your Marketplace health insurance when you’re sick and when you’re well. Follow these tips to help maintain your health:

If you had 2017 Marketplace coverage, you should have already received Form 1095-A in the mail. Make sure your Form 1095-A is accurate before you file your taxes. You’ll use information from this form about the second lowest-cost Silver Plan (SLCSP) to complete Form 8962, Premium Tax Credit.

You should have already received Form 1095-A in the mail. This form may also be available online in your Marketplace account. Before you file your 2017 taxes, make sure your Form 1095-A is accurate. Don’t file 2017 taxes until you have a correct 1095-A. If it has errors, contact the Marketplace Call Center, and you’ll be sent a corrected Form 1095-A.

Whether you got 2017 health coverage through the Marketplace, Medicare, your job, or another source, you must report your 2017 health coverage status to the IRS when you file your taxes. The form you’ll use will depend on how you got your health coverage.

If anyone in your household had Marketplace coverage in 2017, you can expect to get a Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement, in the mail by mid-February. It comes from the Marketplace, not the IRS. Store this form with your important tax information. You'll use it to fill out Form 8962, Premium Tax Credit, and "reconcile" any Marketplace premium tax credit you got in 2017.

You must report information about your 2017 health coverage when you file your 2017 taxes. If you had Marketplace health insurance in 2017, check out these 3 tips:

Ring in the new year by taking advantage of the free preventive services covered by your Marketplace health insurance! Most Marketplace health plans cover a set of preventive services — like flu shots and screening tests — at no cost to you.

Now that you enrolled in Marketplace insurance for 2018, don’t forget to pay your monthly premium directly to your health insurance company, not to the Health Insurance Marketplace. Your coverage won’t start until you do.

You can enroll in or change 2018 Marketplace health insurance right now. The 2018 Open Enrollment Period runs until December 15, 2017. Before you apply, get a quick idea of your costs.

Open Enrollment for 2018 health coverage is less than 1 week away! Mark these key dates on your calendar so you don't miss the deadline to enroll. The Open Enrollment Period is shorter than in past years, so it's important to be ready.

2018 Open Enrollment runs November 1 – December 15, 2017. To get a head start, you can preview 2018 plans with personalized price estimates right now.

If you haven't applied for insurance on HealthCare.gov before, here are three things to know about the Health Insurance Marketplace:

Open Enrollment for 2018 Marketplace health insurance is just a few weeks away. Here are some important dates to remember:

Open Enrollment for 2018 health insurance is right around the corner! Starting November 1, you can enroll, re-enroll, or change plans for 2018 through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Here's what you can do now to make the application process quicker and easier:

Did you know the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone 6 months and older get an annual flu shot by the end of October? If you have Marketplace health insurance, your flu shot is free from a provider in your plan's network. Here are 3 more reasons you should get the flu shot:

Open Enrollment for 2018 Marketplace health insurance starts November 1! It’s shorter this year and ends December 15. Connect with us now, so you don’t miss out on deadline reminders and updates.

Health coverage is important whether you're sick or healthy. Here are 5 ways your health insurance can help you maximize your health and well-being:

Once you enroll in a Marketplace plan, you must pay your first premium to your health insurance company – not the Health Insurance Marketplace – so your medical coverage can begin. If you’ve already paid your premium, you can check if your health insurance is active online or in your plan materials to make sure your health insurance has started:

Did you know that no insurance plan can reject you, charge you more, or refuse to pay for essential health benefits for a pre-existing condition?

Have questions about the Marketplace? Don’t worry — we’re here to help!

Now that you have Marketplace health insurance, here are three things to remember before you visit your doctor:

Most health plans give you the best deal on services when you see a doctor who has a contract with your health plan. You may be able to see doctors who don’t contract with your plan, but visiting an "in-network" provider usually means you'll have lower out-of-pocket costs.

This summer, put your health and well-being first by getting the preventive services that are right for you.

If you have Marketplace health insurance and your income or household changed — like if you had a baby, got a raise, or someone in your household got new job-based coverage — you should update your application as soon as possible.

Now that you have Marketplace health insurance, here are 3 tips for getting the most out of your health coverage:

If you enrolled in a 2017 health plan, you must pay your premium to your health insurance company, not to the Health Insurance Marketplace. Your coverage won’t start until you do.

If you’re enrolled in a 2017 health insurance plan, here’s what you need to know to get the full benefit of your health coverage and keep it up-to-date:

The April 18 tax filing deadline is less than one week away. No matter if you got your health coverage through the Marketplace, your job, or another source, you must report your 2016 coverage status to the IRS when you file.

If you didn’t enroll in Marketplace health insurance during the 2017 Open Enrollment Period, you may still be able to get coverage for the rest of 2017 two ways.

If you have 2016 Marketplace insurance and want coverage for 2017, your best bet is to update your 2017 health insurance application with your expected income and household information for the year ahead – even if you want to keep the same plan.

Update by December 15 and your changes take effect January 1.

When you enroll in Marketplace health insurance, we’ll send you emails from time to time. Unfortunately, there are some bad actors who may try to scam you with emails that look like they’re from the Marketplace, but are really trying to steal your information or infect your computer with a virus.

It’s time to sign up for affordable, quality health insurance at HealthCare.gov. About 85% of Marketplace consumers qualify for tax credits to help with costs. Are you one of them?

The Health Insurance Marketplace is open for business! Starting today, you can apply for 2017 health insurance coverage for the first time — or renew, change, or update your current health plan for 2017.

Open Enrollment for 2017 health insurance starts on November 1, 2016. To get a head start, you can preview 2017 plans with personalized price estimates right now.

Open Enrollment for 2017 Marketplace health insurance is just a few weeks away. Here are some important health care enrollment and other dates to remember:

If you have 2016 Marketplace health insurance, you can renew, change, or update your plan for 2017 starting November 1, 2016.

Open Enrollment for a 2017 Health Insurance Marketplace plan is almost here.

Flu season can start as early as October, so it’s important to be proactive and get the flu shot to protect yourself and your family from this potentially serious disease.

With 2017 Open Enrollment starting November 1, now is a great time to sign up for reminders and updates from the Health Insurance Marketplace about 2017 coverage.

Getting health insurance is an important first step to better health and well-being! If you’ve gotten coverage, get the most out of your Marketplace health insurance plan and stay healthy throughout the year by following these simple tips.

College is stressful enough, so give yourself the peace of mind that comes with having health insurance this school year. Getting health insurance may be easier and cheaper than you think.

When you enrolled in Marketplace coverage, you may have chosen a health plan that included dental coverage or purchased a separate, stand-alone dental plan.

Diabetic? Chronically sick? Don’t worry! With Marketplace health insurance, your plan covers treatment for any pre-existing medical condition you had when you enrolled in coverage.

Now that you have Marketplace health insurance, you have more ways to take charge of your health.

Did you know that with a Marketplace health insurance plan preventive services — like shots and screening tests — are covered at no cost to you? These free preventive services can help you stay healthy and save you money in the long run.

When you buy a car, you probably think first about price — your monthly payment. But other expenses — like auto insurance, gas, and maintenance — can affect your wallet. Your total costs depend on which car you buy and the expenses that come with owning a car.

Health insurance can be like that. If you look only at your monthly payment, you may find that other costs have a big impact on your household budget.

Summer is the most popular season for moving. But there are some things you can’t pack in boxes — like the peace of mind you get from having health insurance.

No one plans to get sick or hurt, but most people need medical care – like a doctor visit, a prescription drug, a lab test, physical therapy, or counseling – at some point. These services can be expensive.

And if something happens that requires surgery or emergency medical care, it’s really important to have coverage. Fixing a broken leg can cost up to $7,500, and the average cost of a 3-day hospital stay is around $30,000.

The Health Insurance Marketplace offers a variety of high-quality health coverage choices for routine and non-routine medical services that can work for your family and budget.

You’ve got questions; we’ve got answers. Read these 5 questions to learn more about dental coverage in the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Choosing a doctor is one of the most important decisions you'll make about your health care. Finding the right one can take a little work, but is well worth it. If you’ve already had your first visit with a primary care doctor under your new plan, ask yourself these 5 questions to make sure your doctor is the right one for you:

1. Did you feel the doctor cared about your health and about you as a person?
2. Did the doctor listen to you and address your needs?
3. Did the doctor use words you could understand and talk to you in a way that made you feel comfortable?
4. Was he or she respectful of your opinions, culture, and beliefs?
5. Did you feel like you could ask questions at the appointment or call the doctor later with questions?

Choosing the right doctor or other health care provider is one of the most important decisions you’ll make about your health care. You should look for a doctor you can trust and work with to improve your health and well-being.

The official first day of summer is right around the corner. As we enter a new season, it’s important to be proactive with your health. One simple way to manage your health is to practice preventive care.

If you enrolled in a plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace for 2014, you should’ve received an important tax statement in the mail, called Form 1095-A. This statement has information you need to fill out your 2014 federal income tax return.

Most people received a correct Form 1095-A. However, if we contacted you because your Form 1095-A is incorrect, here's one reason why. Some forms included the monthly premium amount of the second lowest cost Silver plan for 2015 instead of 2014. The incorrect amount is listed in Part III, Column B of the Form 1095-A. This doesn't mean your tax credit was incorrect; this is purely an error in what was printed on the form.

While Marketplace health coverage is important, there’s no substitute for living a healthy lifestyle. Staying healthy increases the chances you’ll be there for your family and friends for many years to come. Use your Marketplace health coverage when you are sick and when you are well, to help you live a long and healthy life. Here’s what you can do to put your health and well-being first:

Most people who didn’t have qualifying health coverage in 2014 must either pay a fee or qualify for a “health coverage exemption.”

You may qualify for an exemption if you experienced certain life events, like changes in income, your household size, or health coverage, or if you’re a member of certain groups. If you qualify, you don’t have to pay the fee.

Open enrollment is over. But if you were trying to enroll on February 15 and couldn’t finish, you may still be able to get coverage.

Starting in 2014, every person in the U.S. must have minimum health coverage or an exemption – otherwise they may pay a fee on their federal tax return. Many people without health coverage can get an exemption from the fee because of a special situation, like not having affordable health insurance plans available to you, having only a short gap in coverage, or being eligible for services through the Indian Health Service. Also, if you had coverage starting in May 2014 or earlier, you qualify for an exemption for those months in 2014 before your coverage started.

The United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT), part of the Department of Homeland Security, has reported an email phishing scam targeted at Marketplace consumers. The phishing emails claim to come from a U.S. Federal Government Agency and reference the Affordable Care Act in the subject line. All official Marketplace emails are from Marketplace@HealthCare.gov.

If you get this phishing email or any email you aren’t sure is legitimate, delete it immediately or ignore it. Here’s what else you need to know:

If you or anyone in your household enrolled in a health plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace in 2014, this tax season you’ll get a new Form 1095-A — Health Insurance Marketplace Statement. You’ll get it in the mail by early February and use it to file your 2014 federal income tax return. Keep it with other important tax information, like your W-2 forms and other tax records.

When you get Form 1095-A, make sure the information matches your records. Check things like coverage start and end dates and the number of people in your household. If you think anything’s wrong, contact the Marketplace Call Center.

Did you know that your health coverage may affect your taxes? If anyone in your household enrolled in a Marketplace plan in 2014, you’ll need some new information when you file your federal income taxes.

The Health Insurance Marketplace makes it easier to find quality, affordable coverage. Millions of Americans have already gotten coverage, many for the first time.

Now that you’ve found a doctor and had your first visit, you may be wondering what to do next. It’s important to follow through with your doctor’s recommendations.

Are you ready for the next Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment Period? Open Enrollment is the time when you can apply for a new Marketplace plan, keep your current plan, or pick a new one.

Your health and well-being are important and personal. You should choose a doctor or other health care provider that you can work with, trust, and feel comfortable talking to.

On your first visit to a new provider, remember to bring your insurance card, photo ID, and your copay if you have one. It’s also important to show up early for your appointment!

This first visit will help your provider understand your health and lifestyle so you can work together to make improvements.

When you make your appointment, it’s important that you have your insurance card or other documentation available, in case you’re asked to provide insurance information.

Choosing the right provider is one of the most important decisions you’ll make about your health care. We can help you find the right one.

Remember, you’re looking for a provider you can trust and work with to improve your health and well-being, so take time to think about what you need. Depending on how complicated your health care needs are, you may need to see more than one type of provider.

It’s important that you know where to go for medical care when you need it. There are some big differences between visits to your primary care provider and visits to the emergency room, such as cost, time spent waiting for care, and follow up.

Getting regular medical care: Primary care providers work with you to ensure that you get the right preventive services, manage your chronic conditions, and improve your health. Before you go to the doctor’s office, clinic, or health center, visit your health plan’s website and check their provider directory online. You can also call your insurer directly with questions or call a provider to see if they accept your health plan.

Health coverage pays for provider services, medications, hospital care, and special equipment when you’re sick. It’s also important when you’re not sick. Marketplace coverage includes preventive health services like immunizations for children and adults, annual doctor visits for women and seniors, screening and counseling for people of all ages, and more. The best news – it’s free.

While Marketplace health coverage is important, there’s no substitute for living a healthy lifestyle. Staying healthy increases the chances you’ll be there for your family and friends for many years to come. Use your Marketplace health coverage when you are sick and when you are well, to help you live a long and healthy life.

If you’re one of the millions of Americans who recently obtained health coverage through the new Health Insurance Marketplace, Medicaid, or the Children’s Health Insurance (CHIP), From Coverage to Care materials can help answer questions you might have so you can make the most of your health coverage. Resources are available at marketplace.cms.gov/c2c. Some of the topics covered include:

Now that you’ve joined millions of Americans in getting coverage, you need to learn how to use it.

Here are some steps you can take right now to ensure that you have access to health care once your coverage begins. Follow the links below to learn how to confirm your enrollment with your insurance company, fill a prescription, get care when and where you need it, and appeal a decision by your insurance company.

Deductibles, premiums, copayments, and coinsurance, are important for you to consider when choosing a health insurance plan. You can compare health plans and see if you qualify for lower costs before you apply. Most people who apply will be eligible for help paying for health coverage.

You and your family may be eligible for free screenings, vaccines, counseling, and other preventive services to keep you healthy.

All health plans in the Health Insurance Marketplace and many other plans must cover the preventive services below without charging you a copayment or coinsurance. This applies even if you haven’t met your yearly deductible.

1. Preventive care for all adults: 15 preventive services

2. Preventive care for women: 22 preventive services

3. Preventive care for children: 25 preventive services

4. Medicare preventive care: 23 preventive services