The second open enrollment period of the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) Healthcare.gov federal health insurance marketplace is scheduled to open this Saturday, and the Obama administration is gearing to ensure the website runs without another technical glitch.

Ahead of the Nov. 15 start date, federal officials and government contractors are reportedly "scrambling" to ensure backup support is in place in case Healthcare.gov crashes or encounters technical problems during the next three months of the enrollment period.

"We're really making sure the website works super well before the next open enrollment period," Obama said during a press conference on Nov. 5. "We're double and triple checking it. I think a lot of people who maybe initially thought we're not sure how this works, let's wait and see -- they're going to have an opportunity now to sign up."

Before the second open enrollment's start date, the health insurance website has already made it available for consumers to "window shop" the plans, premiums and information in effect for next year.

"Consumers can prepare for open enrollment by visiting HealthCare.gov and using the window shopping feature to see what plans will be available in their area," Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Marilyn Tavenner said.

"Using this [window shopping] tool, consumers can compare plans, covered benefits, and physician and hospital networks before the Marketplace annual open enrollment period starts on Nov. 15. New features will give consumers a comprehensive picture of the plans in their area so they can choose the one that's right for them."

The "window shop" feature will require consumers to provide information such as family size and location, but no requirement to submit an application.

According to CNN, the Urban Institute revealed consumers could find cheaper health insurance plans during the second enrollment period than last year, but it may require consumers to switch to another insurer.

Eight million Americans enrolled with the ACA, also referred to as Obamacare, during the first open enrollment period between Oct. 1, 2013 and March 31, 2014, and during the extended Special Enrollment Period through April 19.

The second open enrollment period ends on Feb. 15, 2015. Six million more people are expected to enroll. According to HealthCare.gov, individuals without health insurance will pay a higher penalty fee than in 2014. For 2015's rates, the penalty is 2 percent of the individual's income or $325 per adult/$162.50 per child, "whichever is more."

Meanwhile, the open enrollment period for Medicare has been open since Oct. 15 and ends Dec. 7.

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For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.

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