Tuesday night (12/15/15), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that the deadline to enroll in Affordable Care Act coverage that begins on January 1, 2016 would be extended until December 17, 2015. Until tomorrow night, Tennesseans who want to enroll in quality, affordable health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace must enroll by Thursday if they want their new coverage to begin on New Year's Day. For consumers who need to renew their coverage, Wednesday (12/17/15) is also the deadline to choose a plan so they don't experience any gap in coverage as the new year begins.

This enrollment period is an opportunity to not only gain access to quality affordable healthcare for you and your family, but to also avoid paying a fine when you file your taxes.

If you do not enroll in a plan by the final deadline of January 31, 2016, you could face a fine of $695 or 2.5% of your yearly income, whichever is greater. The fine will increase each year, making it more and more costly to delay complying with the law.