Buying coverage during the Affordable Care Act's second open enrollment period hasn't been as difficult for South Dakotans as it was during the inaugural window of the program.

Monday, December 15 is the final day you can enroll in health coverage to be effective January 1 through the federal health insurance exchange healthcare.gov. But the enrollment period doesn't fully wind down until February 15.

Deb Muller of Avera Health Plans says the process so far for consumers has been, as she put it, "a little disjointed." But she says its nothing like it was last year.

February 15 is the deadline to avoid a federal penalty. For South Dakotans there are three providers with varying plans that are available.

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