When Is Open Enrollment?
| Plan Type | Typical Open Enrollment Window |
|---|---|
| ACA Marketplace | November 1 – January 15 (varies slightly by state) |
| Employer-sponsored plans | Set by employer, often in fall for following calendar year |
| Medicare | October 15 – December 7 annually |
What You Can Do During Open Enrollment
- Enroll in a new health plan for the first time
- Switch to a different plan or coverage tier
- Add or remove dependents from your coverage
- Update income information to adjust your subsidy amount
What If You Miss Open Enrollment?
Outside of open enrollment, you generally can't sign up for or change ACA marketplace coverage unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) — triggered by qualifying life events like losing other coverage, getting married, having a baby, or moving to a new coverage area. SEPs typically give you 60 days from the qualifying event to enroll.
Frequently Asked Questions
You'll generally need to wait until the next open enrollment period unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period due to a qualifying life event like job loss, marriage, or having a child, which opens a 60-day window to enroll.
Only if you have a qualifying life event that triggers a Special Enrollment Period. Otherwise, your plan selections are locked in until the next annual open enrollment window.
Yes — most employers have their own annual open enrollment period, often in the fall, for coverage starting the following January. The exact dates are set by your employer and may differ from the ACA marketplace window.