Health Insurance Open Enrollment

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 opens in a new tab, the official government portal for purchasing health insurance.

Be aware of scammers who may try to impersonate HealthCare.gov opens in a new tab. If you search for “health insurance open enrollment” online, make sure you’re choosing the official HealthCare.gov opens in a new tab 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 opens in a new tab. The HealthCare.gov opens in a new tab 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) opens in a new tab, 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 opens in a new tab.

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 opens in a new tab - 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 opens in a new tab.
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.

Five Things to Know About Open Enrollment

Let’s face it. Health insurance can be complicated, and signing up for coverage that is best for you and your family can be confusing.

We’re the Utah Insurance Department and we’re here to help you through a difficult process.

So let’s start at the beginning. Before you can figure out which health insurance plan is right for you, you’ve got to ask the right questions. These answers to common Open Enrollment questions will better prepare you in making sure your family has adequate coverage.

That all depends on when you sign up. If you register by December 15th, your insurance plan begins with the new year: January 1st.

But if you wait and sign up between December 15th and January 15th, your coverage won’t begin until February 1st. Sign up between January 16th and January 31st, and your coverage doesn’t start until March 1st.

That’s why it’s very important to start looking and comparing plans as early as possible. Make sure to enroll by December 15th so you’ll have coverage.

This can be tricky. And it’s where it gets complicated. But here are some general things to keep in mind when you’re shopping for a plan during Open Enrollment:

Plans themselves: There are all kinds of health care plans for all kinds of needs and age groups. The health plan you choose determines how you and your plan share the costs of care.
Monthly premiums: This is the amount you pay your insurance company whether you use medical services or not. Premiums are important, but they’re not all you need to think about.
Provider and non-provider networks: Different plans offer different levels of coverage for care inside and outside of the plan’s network of doctors, hospitals, pharmacies and other medical service providers. Many plans only pay for in-network providers unless there is an emergency.
Deductible: This is expense that must be paid out of pocket before your insurance company will pay any expenses. Different plans have different levels of deductibles.

To get a better understanding of what coverage is best for you and your family, we suggest you work with a health insurance agent. Their services are free to you. And more importantly, a health insurance agent can help you understand this complicated business and help you determine the best plan for you.

There ARE a few things you can do if you decide you didn’t select the right plan. If you have a life event like changing jobs or getting married, you can switch to a new plan mid-year. It’s possible to cancel your plan, but there may be a tax penalty attached to that option. Cancelling can be difficult, so you’re generally best off by staying with the contract you’re on for the year, and then switching plans during the Open Enrollment period next year.

Most people wouldn’t go to court with a lawyer or buy a house without a real estate agent. It’s the same with health insurance. A health insurance agent knows health insurance inside and out. An agent can answer any question and allay any concerns you might have during this complicated process.

And, remember, health insurance agents get paid by the insurance companies. There is absolutely no cost to you to get their advice and recommendations.

So don’t wait. Contact an insurance agent, and get started on the Open Enrollment process today.

Health Insurance Open Enrollment

If you purchase insurance through your employer:

If you do not purchase insurance through your employer:

Other ways to shop:

Five Things to Know About Open Enrollment

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