Tens of thousands of Virginians who have lost their employer-offered health insurance along with their jobs now have a fresh opportunity to gain coverage.

The Affordable Care Act Marketplace at HealthCare.gov reopened Monday for an additional 90 days, thanks to an executive order President Biden issued recently.

The order adds more time for people to take advantage of enrollment for 2021 that was initially halted in December under former President Trump.

Consumers now have through May 15 to enroll with private health insurers offering policies through the marketplace.

More than 90,000 people in Virginia, and potentially 7 million around the country, lost health coverage due to job losses from businesses that shut down during COVID- 19, according to government data. Those individuals added to the 650,000 state residents that other data show lacked health insurance before the pandemic began in March 2020 in Virginia.

“Uninsured Virginians now have a second chance this year to find affordable health coverage,” stated Deepak Madala, program manager of Enroll Virginia, which oversees the program. “If the last year has taught us anything, it’s that knowing your health is covered is more important now than it ever has been.”

Enroll Virginia also has navigators to assist people to find affordable insurance, as do other organizations, Mr. Madala stated.

Expanded Medicaid also is available for those who qualify as a result of income, he added.

For additional information and navigation help by appointment: Enroll Virginia, (888) 392-5132 or www.enrollva.org.