President Barack Obama's administration is granting a six-week extension for uninsured Americans to enroll in health insurance through the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

The ACA requires all U.S. residents to be enrolled for health insurance, either through a private health insurance provider or through federal health plan options by March 31 before facing penalty fees. Previously, because of how the ACA was worded, many people thought the enrollment deadline was Feb. 15, said Amanda Tyler, a representative from Ways & Means Council for U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin.

If an individual chooses not to enroll in health insurance for three consecutive months, then he or she will be subjected to penalty fees, Tyler said.

"As long as an individual signs up at any point during this open enrollment season, which lasts until March 31, 2014, then they will not have a penalty for 2014 for not being insured," she said.