The sign-up deadline for a January 1st effective date for Healthcare.gov, or ACA, has been extended to Thursday, December 17th.

The extension is due to the overwhelming amount of registrants and "unprecedented" consumer demand according to CEO Kevin Counihan.

The last day to sign up for 2016 ACA coverage is January 31st.  Signing up by this date will protect consumers from fines and fees for not having health coverage that are rising to $695 per uninsured person or 2.5% of your annual household income, whichever is higher.