If it's for sale, you can probably get in on the Internet.
Health care is the newest commodity to become widely available to United States residents for purchase online — but you won't find it on Amazon or eBay.
See also: How Is Information Technology Changing Healthcare?
As a part of the Affordable Care Act, more colloquially known as "Obamacare," those seeking health care coverage can now obtain it through online marketplaces, depending on their state of residence. Those marketplaces opened for business on Tuesday, even as the government shut down and members of Congress continued to butt heads over the controversial law.
Whether or not you agree with Obama's new health care policy, you should understand how it works. Here are a few things you need to know to get started.
The law is scheduled to fully take effect on Jan. 1, 2014. You can begin shopping and signing up for plans through the online marketplace starting Oct. 1, but the earliest a plan will take effect is Jan. 1. The enrollment period for 2014 lasts until March 31.
For subsequent years, the enrollment period will be open from Oct. 15 until Dec. 7. With few exceptions, these are the only time periods during which you can register for plans through the online marketplace.
Technically, the option is available for everyone lawfully living in the U.S. The online marketplace is targeted at those who do not get insurance through their employers, but earn too much to qualify for Medicaid. The new law actually expands eligibility for Medicaid, and Medicaid rules vary by state. Your state's Obamacare website will help you figure out whether you qualify. Alternatively, even if you do receive insurance through your employer, you can still use your state's online marketplace — though you're unlikely to find a better deal.
The "personal mandate" to have insurance means you will be charged a fee if you're uninsured for more than three months in a calendar year. The penalty, which increases each year, starts at $95 in 2014 or 1% of your yearly income — whichever is higher. If you choose to pay the fee, you do so when filing your tax returns. You may be exempt from paying this fee if you meet one of several conditions (listed here: .PDF).
Residents of most states can find their online marketplace at HealthCare.gov. For residents of 16 states and the District of Columbia, however, there are state-specific websites. A "Get State Information" drop-down menu sits toward the bottom of this page and will instruct you where to find information based on where you live.
Prepare most of your personal documents for reference, specifically financial records. Since the law varies depending on your income, you will most likely need your recent tax returns and pay stubs.
In theory, the Affordable Care Act is, well, affordable. The plans are divided into four tiers based on cost and level of coverage: bronze, silver, gold and platinum. The government will subsidize your health care with a tax credit if your yearly income is less than four times the poverty level.
The health care-focused Kaiser Family Foundation created the calculator below to help you figure out whether you are eligible for subsidies.

Everyone is protected equally under the new law, meaning you can't be charged more due to gender or medical history. Although plans vary in level of coverage, all plans must cover 10 "essential health benefits" — including ambulatory services, emergency services, hospitalization, maternity and newborn care, mental health and substance use disorder services and more. While this part of the law took effect in 2010, remember that young people can stay on their parents' insurance plans until age 26.
Protect yourself against fraud by going directly to your state's website when shopping for coverage. No one should ask for your personal health information or bank information; there are no enrollment fees. You will need to provide some personal details to enroll, but don't give your information to anyone who contacts you without permission.
For more information, the Kaiser Family Foundation has a number of resources on its website, or go straight to the source by visiting HealthCare.gov or calling 1-800-318-2596.
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