When Is Open Enrollment for Health Insurance?
Open enrollment is a period in time each year that allows people to enroll, change, or stop health insurance plans for the upcoming year. Options are available for benefits such as health, vision, dental, disability, and life insurance. Open enrollment is typically two to four weeks at the end of the year, before coverage for the next year starts, usually taking place in November for benefit plans that start January first.
How Does Open Enrollment Work?
Open enrollment is a time where people can start, stop or change their insurance. It works by providing a time period to make these changes. To apply or re-enroll in your Health Insurance Marketplace coverage, you will need the following:
Your basic personal information
Information about everyone applying for coverage
Social Security Numbers (SSNs) for everyone on your application
Information about the professional helping you apply (if any)
Immigration document information (this only applies to lawfully present immigrants)
Employer and income information for everyone in your household
Health coverage information (this only applies if anyone in your household currently has a health plan)
A completed “Employer Coverage Tool” (this only applies if anyone in your household has or is eligible for coverage through their employer)
Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) notice (this only applies if anyone in your household is offered an HRA through their employer)
Open enrollment for 2021 is now over, but if you qualify for a special enrollment plan, you may still be able to enroll in a Marketplace health insurance plan for 2021. You may be eligible for a special enrollment period due to a change in your life, such as losing other coverage, moving, getting married, or having a baby.
Open enrollment for 2022 runs from November first through January fifteenth, 2022, for Marketplace coverage through HealthCare.gov. Coverage can start as soon as January 1st, 2022. After January 15th, you can enroll in 2022 health insurance only if you qualify for a special enrollment period.
What Happens if I Do Not Have Health Insurance?
If you do not have health insurance, you can sign up as open enrollment is about to begin. Starting November 1st, you can apply using any of the following methods:
Online
By phone
With the help of someone in your community
Through a licensed agent or broker
Through certified enrollment partner websites
With a paper application
What Happens if You Miss Open Enrollment?
If you miss open enrollment, you could still apply, if you qualify for a special enrollment period due to a life event such as:
Losing other coverage
Moving
Getting married
Having a baby
Applying for Health Insurance
There are a few different ways that you can apply for and enroll in 2022 Marketplace health coverage. You can start by doing one of the following:
Find and contact an licensed agent/broker
Have an licensed agent/broker contact you
Use a certified enrollment partner’s website
Use HealthCare.gov to apply online
Contact the Marketplace Call Center to enroll by phone
Fill out and mail in a paper application
How to Choose a Health Plan During Open Enrollment
Choosing a health plan during open enrollment can be confusing and make you feel pressured, but it can be navigated. Open enrollment for 2022 coverage starts November 1st, so before signing up, review the following information to help the process be more straightforward.
Choosing a health plan comes down to a few key factors that should be considered before looking at your plan options. Here are our open enrollment tips:
The 4 “Metal” Categories
There are four categories of health insurance plans: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. These categories show how you and your plan share costs. Plan categories have nothing to do with the quality of care.
Bronze: The insurance company pays 60%, you pay 40%
Silver: The insurance company pays 70%, you pay 30%
Gold: The insurance company pays 80%, you pay 20%
Platinum: The insurance company pays 90%, you pay 10%
Your Total Costs for Health Care
You pay a monthly bill to your insurance company, called a premium. You must pay this baseline cost, even if you do not use medical services that month. You pay out-of-pocket costs, including a deductible, when you get care. It is important to think about both kinds of costs when shopping for a plan.
Plan and Network Types
Some plan types allow you to use almost any doctor or health care facility. Others limit your choices or charge you more if you use providers outside their network.
EPO: Exclusive Provider Organization
HMO: Health Maintenance Organization
POS: Point of Service
PPO: Preferred Provider Organization
Star Ratings
HealthCare.gov offers quality health insurance plan ratings (or “star ratings”), reflecting member experience, medical care, and health plan administration. The ratings let you quickly compare plans based on quality.
Telehealth Coverage
When applying, one key thing to remember is to check your telehealth services coverage. Most major insurance companies will cover all telehealth-related healthcare. PlushCare is an in-network provider for most major insurers.
Read More About Health Insurance
Sources
Ways to apply for 2022 health insurance. HealthCare.gov. Accessed October 13, 2021 at https://www.healthcare.gov/apply-and-enroll/how-to-apply/
Open Enrollment Guide & Resources. Society for Human Resource Management. Accessed October 13, 2021 at https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/benefits/pages/open-enrollment-benefits-guide.aspx
How to pick a health insurance plan. HealthCare.gov. Accessed October 13, 2021 at https://www.healthcare.gov/choose-a-plan/comparing-plans/
