RALEIGH -- North Carolinians will now have an additional option when looking over health insurance choices in the Health Insurance Marketplace. On Friday, UnitedHealthcare announced that they would be making plans available under the Affordable Care Act, in the Tar Heel state.

In the first year of the law, only Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina and Coventry offered health insurance policies in North Carolina.

The enrollment period begins on Saturday for any North Carolinians looking to purchase their own health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, and the sign-up period will run through February 15th. In order for coverage to begin on January 1st, customers must enroll in the first month of enrollment.