When Is Open Enrollment? Key Dates and Deadlines to Remember
The gist
The Open Enrollment Period (OEP) is a specific time when you can enroll in a new health plan or modify your existing health policy for the coming year.
For private or employer-provided health care, open enrollment periods may vary, so be sure to check with your benefits department so you don’t miss out.
If you have an Affordable Care Act (ACA) plan or lack coverage, it’s crucial to know when Open Enrollment for 2024 is.
For most states, the 2024 Open Enrollment Period for ACA plans is from Nov. 1 to Jan. 15. Some states have slightly different windows, so we’ve listed them all out below for easy reference.
If you miss the ACA’s Open Enrollment Period, you might be granted a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) if you experience a qualifying life event, like getting married, having a child, or losing your job or existing health coverage.
In this article
If you’re looking to sign up for new health coverage or make changes to your existing policy, you’ll need to know when Open Enrollment Period (OEP) is. Open Enrollment is the annual period of time during which anyone can apply for Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plans, and it runs from Nov. 1 to Jan. 15 in most states.
And it’s important to keep these dates in mind, because missing Open Enrollment could mean you’ll have to wait up to a year to sign up for (or make changes to) a policy. In this article, we’ll cover key Open Enrollment dates and your options for getting covered if you miss them.
What is Open Enrollment Period?
Put simply, Open Enrollment is the annual window during which you can enroll in new health coverage or make modifications to your existing policy. It runs from Nov. 1 to Jan. 15 in most states (more on that in a moment).
Private or employer-provided insurance plans typically have their open enrollment periods in the early autumn, but it may vary from company to company, so be sure to contact your benefits administrator.
What’s the best way to enroll in an ACA plan during Open Enrollment?
Comprehensive health insurance plans are essential to keeping yourself and your family healthy. Having an up-to-date policy can help offset a large portion of out-of-pocket costs that could arise from an unplanned visit to the hospital or a catastrophic health event.
And if you’re looking to sign up for a new health plan, Stride can help.
All you have to do is enter your ZIP code and share some basic information, and we’ll compile a list of the best plans for you and your family’s specific needs. From there, you can compare and contrast the policies to determine which one is right for your lifestyle or household. Then, you’re just a couple of clicks away from applying directly from our site! Next … well, there is no next step. You just have to wait for your application to be approved, and that’s it — you’re covered!
When is Open Enrollment?
For the majority of states, Open Enrollment runs from Nov. 1 to Jan. 15. In these states, you must apply by Dec. 15 to get a plan that starts Jan. 1. Otherwise, you have until Jan. 15 to apply for a plan that starts Feb. 1.
But not every state has the same OEP. States that operate their own exchanges have the option to offer slightly longer (or shorter!) windows. Here are those states:
Idaho: October 16, 2024 to December 15, 2024
California, Washington D.C., New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island: November 1, 2024 to January 31, 2025
Massachusetts: November 1, 2024 to January 23, 2025
What is a Special Enrollment Period?
Need to make modifications to your policy or sign up for a new health plan, but your Open Enrollment is still a few months away? You may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period during which you can get coverage outside of Open Enrollment.
To qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you must first experience a qualifying life event (keep scrolling for a quick explainer).
What is a qualifying life event?
The first step toward modifying your health care (or enrolling in a new plan) outside of Open Enrollment is declaring your qualifying life event. This may require you to share specific documentation with your benefits team or an ACA administrator — for instance, a marriage certificate or proof of death.
The most common qualifying life events are:
Loss of employer-provided coverage
Loss of coverage on parents’ plan when you turn 26
Birth or adoption of a child
Marriage or divorce (divorce is considered a qualifying life event in some states)
A death among the family members is covered by your plan
Moving to a new ZIP code or county
Gaining U.S. citizenship
Leaving incarceration
