The Affordable Care Act (ACA) established the Health Insurance Marketplace, where you can compare and shop for affordable health insurance plans and find out if you qualify for any subsidies or tax credits to reduce your costs. 

Primarily, the ACA ensures that more people have access to more affordable and more comprehensive health insurance, and it established consumer protections like mandating that all Marketplace health plans cover preexisting conditions, prescription drugs, emergency services, maternity care, mental health services, and more.

Anyone who’s eligible can enroll in a Marketplace plan during Open Enrollment, which runs from November 1 to December 15. Otherwise, you’ll need a Qualifying Life Event, such as losing your health coverage or getting married, to enroll in coverage.