The Affordable Care Act requires Americans to be enrolled in a health insurance plan. Those who are not will be charged a fee if they do not sign up by March 31.

Those who do not have coverage by the deadline either through a private provider or through federal health insurance plans will be charged a fee when they file for their federal tax returns. Fees increase each year that an individual does not have health insurance.

To be eligible for federal health insurance, or the Health Insurance Marketplace, individuals must live in areas within the U.S. that offer HIM services, be a U.S. citizen or be lawfully present in the U.S. and not currently be incarcerated.

Local organizations are available to assist with website navigation and enrollment. For more information, visit www.healthcare.gov or www.localhelp.healthcare.gov.