For so many Americans without health care, it has become increasingly important to take advantage of the open enrollment in the Healthcare Marketplace. Deadlines to sign up for insurance was on Monday, December 23rd and became extended to Tuesday, December 24th for people to have their health insurance start on January 1st, 2014.

If you signed up for healthcare before the above deadline but haven’t paid the initial insurance premium, you still have time. Many insurers have extended their payment deadlines into January while still allowing the coverage to start on January 1st. States that have set up their own state-run Marketplaces, such as Covered CA in California, will have their own specific deadlines.

Even if you don’t sign up for health insurance to start in January, you still have time to get it up until March 31st, 2014 to avoid the tax penalty. For more information about getting health insurance, contact Michelle Lim Insurance Services Insurance at 626-281-2828 to speak with a certified agent who can help you get through the process so you can be protected.