Obamacare Exchanges Open Tomorrow, Here’s What You Need to Know

October 1 is a big date for many Americans. It's when the health care exchanges that are part of Obamacare open to the public.

"We need to exhale a little bit," explained insurance consultant Barbara Fonti.  "Everyone is concerned about this October first target date.  That just means the online marketplace is open for business.  It doesn't mean that you have to go in right away to take care of anything."

The health care exchanges are geared generally to Americans who do not have health insurance.

"You can go online, get quotes from different insurance companies that offer plans in your area," added Fonti.  "And if you want to, you can purchase your insurance through the exchange.  Depending on the income in your household, you can qualify for a tax credit, called a subsidy."

That subsidy will help reduce the cost to some purchasers.

"But not everyone is going to qualify for a subsidy," continued Fonti.  "When you go on that marketplace, you want to have he information about your income available so you can get the correct calculation to be making under a certain amount of money in order to get that subsidy."