Federal insurance marketplace opens Oct. 1

• Oct. 1—Open enrollment begins
• Jan. 1, 2014—Health insurance coverage begins for those who enroll by Dec. 15, 2013. Coverage begins based on one's date of enrollment.
• March 31, 2014—Open enrollment closes

Marketplace insurance coverage includes essential health benefits such as ambulatory services, hospitalization, surgery, maternity and newborn care, prescription drugs and preventive and wellness services.

Insurance plans are divided into four categories—Bronze, Gold, Silver, Platinum—based on income and can include dental coverage.

The HHS report says a 27-year-old in the Dallas-Fort Worth area who makes $25,000 a year will pay $74 a month for the lowest-cost bronze plan. For a family of four making $50,000 annually, the lowest-cost bronze plan would be $57 a month.

Prices of plans will be available Oct. 1, according to www.healthcare.gov. The site also includes details about eligibility.

How to apply

• Visit www.healthcare.gov
• Call 1-800-318-2596
• In person—at United Way of Tarrant County, 1500 N. Main St., Fort Worth; 817-258-8188; www.unitedwaytarrant.org. Hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• An option to apply by mail will be available Oct. 1, according to www.healthcare.gov.

For more information about local organizations in Texas, visit https://localhelp.healthcare.gov/. Visit impactnews.com for updates about the ACA and the Health Insurance Marketplace as information becomes available.

—Grapevine/Colleyville/Southlake/Westlake editor Judy Wiley contributed to this report.