There is just a brief time left for Mississippians who want their new or updated health insurance coverage through the Federally Facilitated Health Insurance Marketplace to start Jan. 1.

To have coverage start at the beginning of the year they must be enrolled or change plans by Tuesday,  Commissioner of Insurance Mike Chaney reminded Mississippi consumers.

The Federally-Facilitated Health Insurance Marketplace is an online option to buy individual private health insurance coverage.

If you don’t have health insurance through an employer, Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or another source that provides qualifying coverage, the Marketplace can help you get covered. Open enrollment for 2016 individual health insurance coverage in the Marketplace began Nov. 1 and ends Jan. 31, 2016.

“Many people in Mississippi will qualify for financial assistance toward their premium cost. Financial assistance is based on gross yearly income and household size,” Chaney said

During open enrollment, you can browse and compare health insurance plans and prices available before you decide to purchase a plan. You can also change your plan choice at any time during the open enrollment period.