RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) - With the new year approaching, experts say now is the time to start thinking about your health insurance.  Open enrollment through the Virginia Insurance Marketplace is open now through Jan. 15, 2025.  “Virginians just have to go to marketplace.virginia.gov, put in some basic information and you can immediately begin shopping for and comparing health insurance plans,” said Kevin Patchett, who serves as director of Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace.  To qualify for coverage through the state marketplace, you must live in Virginia, and be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawfully present immigrant.  Plus, you must be uninsured, unable to get affordable health insurance through your employer, and in most cases, you can’t be eligible for Medicare or Medicaid. “They are going to cover all of the 10 essential health benefits,” Patchett told 8News. “That includes emergency room visits, doctor visits, pregnancy, prescription drug coverage, mental health services, and they are going to provide important consumer protection such as pre-existing conditions.” Patchett says considering about half a million Virginians have lost Medicaid coverage since last year, it’s important to point out that nearly 90% of people who apply for health insurance through the state marketplace are eligible for financial assistance.  “Many consumers who have lost Medicaid find that they are still eligible for plans as low as $10 a month,” said Patchett.  If you need help picking a plan that’s right for you, the insurance marketplace has a list of local certified assisters that provide free assistance either in-person or online.