WASHINGTON — Just eight weeks remain before uninsured Americans can start shopping online for subsidized health insurance under the president's overhaul.
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Monday consumers can now go online to healthcare.gov and create personal accounts by establishing a username and password.
Serious shopping will have to wait until sometime in September, when details on insurance plans and premiums offered in local areas become available.
The new online insurance marketplaces will be geared to people who don't have coverage through their jobs.
Open enrollment starts Oct. 1, and insurance benefits take effect Jan. 1.
Sebelius also said she doesn't mind if people call it "Obamacare" — if that helps getting the uninsured signed up.