If you’re looking to enroll in a new plan or switch plans in the Marketplace, a government-run website to purchase health insurance, there is typically only one time of the year you may do so. This fixed enrollment period is called the ‘Open Enrollment Period' and spans from November 1st to December 15th (dates may vary based on the year, including in 2022 when the deadline was extended to January 15th due to the COVID-19 pandemic). Please check Healthcare.gov for the most up-to-date information. Also, if you reside in a state that has its own Marketplace, your state may have its own enrollment period. You can check states’ unique enrollment periods here.
If you miss this window, you may need to wait until the next Open Enrollment Period unless you are eligible for a ‘Special Enrollment Period.’ This is applicable if you lose coverage through a qualifying life event or special circumstance such as retirement, address change, or aging off of a policy (i.e. turning 26). You typically have 60 days after the event to enroll in a new plan. If you know when you will lose your coverage, you may also have 60 days before the event to get prepared and enroll in that new plan. For a full list of circumstances that can trigger a Special Enrollment Period, check here.
- You lose current employer-based coverage either individually or through a family member. Your coverage will begin on the first day of the month after you enroll in a plan.
- You retire before 65 and lose employer-based health coverage.
- You experience marriage (or domestic partnership when allowed) or divorce, or lose health coverage due to the death of a family member.
- Childbirth, adoption, or foster placement: the entire family may be eligible to update their coverage. You may choose to begin coverage either on (1) the date of birth, adoption, or placement in foster care, (2) the first day of the month following the birth, adoption, or foster placement date, or (3) the first day of the month following plan selection.
- You age out (turn 26) and are no longer eligible for a parent’s plan.
- You lose coverage through a family member’s employer-sponsored plan or individual plan.
- You move to a different county or ZIP code. You will need to confirm if there is a state-sponsored marketplace here
- Loss of student coverage: you are no longer a student or no longer eligible for student health coverage.
- Loss of Medicaid or CHIP: you lose coverage due to a change in income or are no longer eligible.
- Income Change: you are no longer or newly able to qualify for savings on a Marketplace plan due to income change. This allows you the opportunity to switch plans in states that use the federally-run Marketplace.
- You gain citizenship or status as a permanent legal resident.
- You return from active-duty military service or are released from jail or prison.
While the Open Enrollment Period is the most common to enroll or switch plans, Special Enrollment Periods exist for when the unexpected happens.
Caribou can help with the process once you are ready to enroll or change your health plan.
Summarize your knowledge with the below infographic:
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Learn More:
Getting health coverage outside Open Enrollment | HealthCare.gov
Last Revised October 6th, 2023
