What Is Open Enrollment?
Open enrollment is the annual period when you can sign up for, change, or cancel health insurance coverage. Outside of open enrollment, you generally cannot change your health plan unless you have a qualifying life event.
Open Enrollment Dates 2025โ2026
- ACA Marketplace: November 1 โ January 15 (coverage starts January 1 if enrolled by December 15)
- Employer plans: Varies โ typically October or November. Check with your HR department.
- Medicare: October 15 โ December 7 (coverage starts January 1)
- Medicaid: Open year-round โ apply any time
โ ๏ธ Miss open enrollment? You must wait until next year UNLESS you have a qualifying life event (job loss, marriage, birth of child, moving to a new state, etc.). Qualifying events trigger a Special Enrollment Period of 60 days.
What You Can Do During Open Enrollment
- Enroll in a health plan for the first time
- Switch from one plan to another
- Add or remove dependants
- Cancel coverage (not recommended without an alternative)
- Re-enroll in your current plan
What to Review During Open Enrollment
- Has your premium changed?
- Are your doctors still in-network?
- Are your prescriptions still covered at the same tier?
- Has your deductible or out-of-pocket maximum changed?
- Do you now qualify for subsidies you didn't before?
Open Enrollment CPM Note
Health insurance costs and plan options change every year. Even if you're happy with your current plan, it's worth spending 20 minutes during open enrollment to compare options โ you may find a better plan at a lower cost.
Compare Plans Before Open Enrollment
Use our plan comparison calculator to find which plan saves you the most money.
Compare Plans Before Open Enrollment โ