Family Voices Indiana shares the following press release from AHIP: New AHIP Infographic: 5 Steps to Ensuring Coverage Begins on January 1, 2014 Washington, D.C. – To provide greater peace of mind for consumers purchasing coverage through the new federal and state marketplaces, America’s Health Insurance Plans’ (AHIP) Board of Directors today announced that health plans are voluntarily extending the deadline for consumers to pay their first month’s premium. Consumers who select their plans by December 23 and pay their premiums by January 10 will be able to have coverage effective January 1. Under current rules and guidance, consumers who want to begin coverage on January 1 must select a plan by December 23 and pay the first month’s premium by December 31. The short time period in which to complete these steps, particularly around the holidays, combined with the ongoing technical issues with healthcare.gov have raised concerns that some consumers’ coverage may not be able