HCR Update from Mark Sanna: It is time to get ready to buy insurance. The biggest part of the health-care law—online exchanges that offer insurance to individuals—kicks in next year. And beginning this October, states will start selling those health-care plans, which adhere to a new set of standards, though online marketplaces. But there already are many ways that you can start investigating options ahead of the roll out. This summer is prime time to educate yourself about your options, say health-insurance experts.