As the end of the year approaches and our minds are thinking about the upcoming holidays. It is also open enrollment period for healthcare and it ends on December 15th, instead of January 25th like last year, to decide to renew or change your health care plan.

Here are a few things to consider when changing your health care plan:

• Obama care has not been replaced

1. 1. 1. Citizens are still mandated to be enrolled in an affordable care act compliant health care plan to avoid paying a government fine.

• Update your financial information

1. 1. 1. If you are currently enrolled in a healthcare.gov plan, you have until December 15th to update your financial information, browse for a new plan or renew your plan and your new coverage will begin January 1, 2018.
      2. If you do not update your information by December 15, 2017, your plan will be automatically renewed.

• If you miss the December 15th deadline

1. 1. After December 15th you can only change your health plan if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you may qualify for this in certain situations like losing health coverage, getting married, or having a baby.

But what if the options in healthcare.gov do not fit your needs or budget? Then you can also search for more affordable options like minimum essential coverage programs that are available outside of healthcare.gov. Unique Healthcare gives members unlimited doctor visits without a copay or a high deductible, learn more about our benefits here.