BOISE — Idaho’s health insurance marketplace is opening a special enrollment period for uninsured residents to sign up for health insurance coverage next month.

Your Health Idaho announced Monday that the special enrollment period will start March 1 and last through the end of the month. People who enroll by March 31 will have health insurance coverage starting April 1, and some will be eligible for lower-cost insurance.

“Most people are surprised to hear that more than 80 percent of those enrolled with Your Health Idaho are eligible for lower-cost insurance, with many paying $0 per month,” Your Health Idaho Director Pat Kelly said in a prepared statement. “I would encourage anyone who is interested to visit YourHealthIdaho.org and at least complete the eligibility screening to find out if you could qualify.”

President Joe Biden directed the federal health insurance exchange, HealthCare.gov, to reopen enrollment starting this week through mid-May in an effort to expand healthcare coverage during the coronavirus pandemic. States with individual health care marketplaces have followed suit.