Americans Have Three Day Deadline to Make Urgent Health Insurance Decision

There are just three days left for Americans to make an urgent health insurance decision regarding their coverage in 2025.

In most states, December 15 marks the final day to enroll in Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage. These plans go into effect January 1, and missing the deadline could result in Americans going without health insurance in the new year.

“Enrolling before Dec. 15 in an ACA Marketplace plan ensures a seamless start to coverage in 2025 and can help you avoid costly surprises,” said Louise Norris, health policy analyst for healthinsurance.org, in a statement.

Millions of people enroll for ACA coverage, otherwise known as Obamacare, each year. While some states extend the enrollment period to end January 15, the vast majority will need to secure their insurance for next year now.

“Procrastinating through the holiday season could mean starting the new year with a gap in coverage,” Norris said. “And short-term health coverage solutions may end up costing more in the long run.”

If you let your current coverage auto-renew, you could face an unwelcome surprise if your plan changes the benefits and costs in the new year.

Many insurance providers are exiting markets entirely in 2025, and that could mean your state is no longer included for your carrier.

“If your insurer is exiting your state’s Marketplace, the Marketplace will likely automatically select a replacement plan for you if you don’t choose your own replacement coverage,” Norris said. “It’s better to take an active role in selecting your coverage now than be assigned a plan that might not suit your needs.”

Several states have also made significant changes to healthcare access.

In Virginia, the state is transitioning from healthcare.gov to a state-specific enrollment system, while California is eliminating deductibles for many enrollees.

And in Washington, undocumented immigrants will now have access to Marketplace plans.

“As someone who’s guided countless clients through healthcare decisions, my advice is simple: Don’t view this as just insurance,” Michael Ryan, a finance expert and the founder of michaelryanmoney.com, told Newsweek. “View it as financial risk management. A comprehensive plan isn’t an expense—it’s an investment in your health and financial stability.”

Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, said it’s important to not let panic over next year’s Trump administration prevent you from not taking necessary steps for your healthcare plan.

“The December 15 deadline is crucial because if one fails to enroll by that date, that means their coverage wouldn’t start until February 1,” Beene told Newsweek.

“More importantly, if you’re on auto-renewal with your current program, do your due diligence and read over what potential changes are coming in the next year. You don’t want to be stunned during your first doctor’s visit in 2025 to discover a minor change in policy has a major change to your wallet.”

During Trump’s previous presidency, he often criticized the ACA and has referred to “concepts” of a replacement plan.

“These threats never materialized, likely because of the significant effort required to overhaul such a comprehensive system. For now, the ACA remains intact, and major changes are unlikely,” Kevin Thompson, a finance expert and the founder and CEO of 9i Capital Group, told Newsweek.