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