It’s open enrollment season for the Affordable Care Act again, and if you’re thinking, “How could that be? It just ended,” you’re right. The Biden administration extended the enrollment period into the summer in order to help all those affected by the pandemic. The Biden administration is also reversing the Trump tradition of limiting the enrollment period, and it will run from Nov. 1, 2021 through Jan.  15, 2022. However, to have coverage that takes effect as of Jan. 1, people will have to enroll by Dec. 15. Premiums for 2022 will be about 3% lower than this year and there will be more insurers offering more plans. On the whole, there will be more and cheaper options for most everybody, and because of that people who are renewing coverage should go shop for the best deals. They’ll also benefit from more assistance if they need it—President Joe Biden is restoring the funding the former guy slashed for outreach and assistance through the Navigator program. If the Build Back Better Act being negotiated now in the House passes, and the Senate passes it as well, there will be more ACA changes and big changes in a few discreet parts of the ACA and health care in general. Some of those elements aren’t clear yet: Medicare expansion to include hearing, dental, and vision care and drug price negotiating are still being worked out. Read more