When Is Open Enrollment for 2024? 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 2024.
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, 2023 to Jan. 16, 2024. Some states have slightly different windows, so we’ve listed them all out below for easy reference.
The fastest way to enroll in an ACA plan during the Open Enrollment Period is with Stride. Stride takes the stress out of finding the right coverage on our easy-to-use site!
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
In Short
If you’re looking to sign up for new health coverage or make changes to your existing policy, you’ll need to know when your Open Enrollment Period (OEP) is. Private or employer-provided insurance plans typically have their OEP in the early autumn, but it may vary from company to company, so be sure to contact your benefits administrator. By contrast, the OEP for Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans is from Nov. 1, 2023 to Jan. 16, 2024 in most states — although it can vary slightly.
A missed OEP could mean you’ll have to wait up to a year to sign up for (or make changes to) a policy. Don’t stress — Stride is here to simplify the process.
In this article, we’ll cover OEPs, Special Enrollment Periods, and Qualifying Life Events, and we’ll even run down the Open Enrollment dates for 2024. Keep reading for everything you need to know about OEPs, enrolling in ACA health care plans, and more.
What Is an Open Enrollment Period?
Put simply, an OEP is a specific period of time when you’re allowed to enroll in new health coverage or make modifications to your existing policy. With private insurance (like most employer-provided plans), you will typically receive a notice from your benefits department outlining the OEP for that year. We recommend reassessing your household’s health care needs every year prior to the OEP to see if anything has changed that might require a different sort of plan. As with any private insurance, it is best to check with the benefits department or insurance provider for any nuances that may accompany your OEP.
If you lack health insurance or are currently on an ACA plan, then you will need to be aware of the ACA OEP dates for your state. If you’re wondering when Open Enrollment is for 2024 ACA plans, we’ve got a state-by-state list later in this article.
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 Does Open Enrollment Start for 2024 ACA Plans?
This time of year, our help desk lights up with the same question from folks looking to enroll in ACA plans: When is Open Enrollment for 2024?
That’s where it gets a bit tricky. For a majority of states, the Open Enrollment 2024 dates will be Nov. 1, 2023 to Jan. 16, 2024, but not every state has the same OEP. States that operate their own exchanges have the option to offer slightly longer (or shorter!) windows.
Don’t stress! We’ve done the hard part for you and compiled each state’s Open Enrollment 2024 dates.
What Is a Special Enrollment Period?
Need to make modifications to your policy or sign up for a new health plan, but your OEP is still a few months away? You may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). A SEP is an exception to the Open Enrollment rule, which may allow you to make changes to your health coverage outside of the OEP.
To qualify for a SEP, 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 the OEP 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
