The Affordable Care Act’s Open Enrollment period is the one time of the year when any person can enroll in health insurance. You do not need to have a qualifying event to enroll during Open Enrollment. During Open Enrollment, you can shop for an insurance policy that meets your needs. You will either shop for insurance through your employer or on HealthCare.gov, the official government portal for purchasing health insurance.
Be aware of scammers who may try to impersonate HealthCare.gov. If you search for “health insurance open enrollment” online, make sure you’re choosing the official HealthCare.gov website. The list of relevant websites that match your search terms are often advertisements and may be labeled “Ad” or “Sponsored” — these are not HealthCare.gov. The HealthCare.gov web address will end in a “.gov” — which means it is an official government site. If you do not meet the income requirements to qualify for advance premium tax credits (APTC), you are encouraged to contact a reputable insurance carrier directly. This may lead to a lower premium.
It is important to note that the Affordable Care Act’s Open Enrollment period is different from Medicare Open Enrollment and Medicaid.
If you purchase insurance through your employer:
- The Open Enrollment period is chosen by your employer. Talk to your supervisor or human resources representative to get this information.
- Your employer will determine the available insurers and plan types that you can choose from.
If you do not purchase insurance through your employer:
- Shop for insurance on HealthCare.gov — this is the official government portal for purchasing individual or family health insurance.
- You can compare many plan types from several insurers.
- You may be eligible for a subsidy to help pay for the health insurance you choose.
- Beware of any website advertising Open Enrollment that is not HealthCare.gov.
- Important Dates:
- November 1: Open Enrollment starts.
- December 15: Enroll for coverage that starts January 1.
- January 15: The last day to enroll; Open Enrollment for 2024 coverage ends.
Other ways to shop:
- Contact a reputable insurance company directly or contact a licensed insurance agent for assistance.
- You can find a licensed agent using the Department’s Licensee Search tool.
- When using an agent, verify they are licensed with the Department using our Licensee Search tool.
- Verify that the policy is compliant and meets the Affordable Care Act standards.
- Make sure the coverage being offered meets your specific healthcare needs.
