The Winter Solstice is upon us – and once again, as we approach the darkest day of the year, it’s time to decide what health insurance plan would best meet our individual and family needs in 2015.

Many of us have health plans offered through our employers but another large group of us are self-employed, work at small businesses where health insurance is not offered, or work part time at two or three jobs. This last group includes Mainers who would be wise to look at the affordable Maine-based health care plans that are offered through the Marketplace at HealthCare.gov.

Open enrollment for insurance under the Affordable Care Act (aka ObamaCare) began on Nov. 15 and will continue until Feb. 15, 2015. If you want your health care plan to begin on Jan. 1, 2015, you need to sign up before this coming Monday, Dec. 15. But don’t worry, as long as you sign up before Feb. 15, 2015, your health care coverage will begin either on Feb. 1 or March 1, 2015.

The Marketplace is where you can find health insurance that best fits your needs and your budget. Remember you cannot be denied coverage if you already have a medical condition or illness. Every health insurance plan offered in the Marketplace will give you high-quality coverage, including visits to your doctor for both preventive care and sick care. Hospitalizations and medications are included as well as women’s health exams and pregnancy care. Depending on your income, you may qualify for financial help that can lower monthly premiums and co-pays. For Mainers under age 30, there are special lower cost plans with higher deductibles.

In 2014, the first year that affordable health-care plans were offered in the Marketplace, more than 44,250 Mainers enrolled in one of the plans. More than 90 percent of Mainers who purchased a plan qualified for some level of subsidy to help pay for the plan based on anticipated yearly income and family size.

In 2015, the good news for Maine consumers is that average premiums for health plans offered in the Marketplace will hold steady or decline slightly. Competition for consumers has also increased as Harvard Pilgrim is entering the Marketplace in addition to current insurers, Anthem and Maine Community Health Options. In 2014, Maine Community Health Options enrolled the most Mainers in their plans. The Silver plans are still considered the best value for money.

Because of increased competition, Mainers now have 40 plans to choose from. If you had enrolled in 2014, your plan has an “auto-enroll” feature to encourage you to stick with that plan. However consumer advocates are encouraging people to take a look at the plan features again, and make sure they are the best fit for you in 2015.

But you don’t have to make these decisions alone. The very good news is that there are experienced volunteer Navigators like Amy March to help you with your questions and/or help you sign up for a plan. She is available at the Bridgton Community Center or you can call her at 452-2493. Her help is free, confidential and impartial. You can also call a local broker, especially if you have a small business. Or you can go to enroll207.com or healthcare.gov. There are many ways to get assistance, but Amy March might be your first call because she knows the resources in the Lakes Region.

In summary, it is hard work to sit down and try to think about what you may need in a health plan. You need protection in the event of an overwhelming illness or accident and a plan that covers those pesky events like ear infections, bronchitis or a deer tick bite. And you certainly need a tetanus shot or a flu shot and your children need immunizations. If you are a woman, you will want well woman exams and if you decide to have a child, you will want pregnancy care. Unfortunately, you don’t have a crystal ball to see the future – but you do the best you can to make sure that your family and you are protected and have access to reliable, consistent medical care in a physician practice where you are known.

Maurie Hill is a health-care professional who lives in Standish.