The federal government has extend an important deadline for people who need individual health insurance in 2016. High demand on healthcare.gov prompted officials to extend the deadline for coverage that takes effect January 1. 
Health insurance shoppers now have until 11 p.m. Alaska time on Dec. 17 to buy a health plan that begins the first day of the new year.
The open enrollment period lasts until the end of January, but customers who buy plans after December 17th will have to wait until later in January or February for their coverage to begin.
Most Alaskans who buy insurance on healthcare.gov are eligible for hundreds of dollars in monthly subsidies to help pay premium costs.
Annie Feidt is the broadcast managing editor at Alaska Public Media. Reach her atafeidt@alaskapublic.org. Read more about Anniehere.
