If you didn’t make it in time to sign up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace by the deadline on Sunday, there’s good news: the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has extended the enrollment period by a few days.

Individuals seeking ACA marketplace health insurance, commonly referred to as Obamacare, can now enroll until midnight local time on Wednesday, December 18. The previous cut-off was December 15. Those who register after this new deadline will have their coverage commence on February 1.

Statistics indicate that the rate of new sign-ups—people who currently lack ACA health insurance but wish to enroll for a 2025 plan—is down by 32% compared to last year, stated Noah Lang, CEO of Stride, a company that assists individuals in finding health insurance. As of December 4, nearly 988,000 individuals had signed up for an ACA plan.

This recent enrollment extension marks just the second time CMS has offered such a grace period, the first having occurred in 2016.

“This additional three days allows people to compare their options,” he explained. “Millions are either uninsured or could find more affordable coverage.”

Why is ACA enrollment down this year?

A survey conducted by Stride in early December revealed that 55% of respondents were anxious about how an incoming Trump administration might affect their health insurance in the future. Concerns regarding potential changes in coverage or rising costs are dissuading some folks from enrolling in the ACA marketplace.

Lang reassured them that there’s no need for concern.

“The plan options and prices will stay consistent for 2025,” he noted. “Your coverage is secure, and ACA credits will not change.”

The premium tax credit is designed to assist eligible individuals and families in affording their ACA health insurance premiums.

Timing may also affect enrollment rates, according to Lang. “This is the first year the enrollment deadline fell on a Sunday evening,” he explained. “People are likely busy shopping for the holidays or spending time with family, taking their attention away from health insurance.”

Will these extra days make a big difference?

We won’t know updated enrollment figures until January, but Lang suggests there might be a surge in sign-ups because the deadline isn’t over a weekend.

Currently, many are receiving notifications regarding their upcoming insurance premiums, which may prompt them to explore ACA options, according to Lang.

The average expected increase in premiums is around 7%, based on research from ValuePenguin.com.

If individuals are anxious about lengthy wait times with CMS during enrollment, Lang pointed out that organizations like Stride can assist. They allow individuals to enter details about their prescriptions, preferred healthcare providers, and health conditions to find suitable health insurance plans online. Afterward, they can select a plan and complete their enrollment on that site.