When is Open Enrollment for 2023?

Open enrollment is the period during which people can purchase health insurance for the upcoming year. If you don't sign up for health insurance during the open enrollment period, there's a possibility that you won't be able to sign up for health insurance until the next open enrollment period unless you experience a qualifying event.

While health insurance can be costly, Mira offers an alternative for just $45 per month. This includes affordable urgent care visits, low-cost lab testing, and discounted prescriptions. Sign up today to get started.

Open Enrollment Dates for 2023 Health Insurance Coverage

For 2023, open enrollment will begin on November 1, 2022. In most states, the 2022 Open Enrollment Period (OEP) began on November 1, 2021, and ended on January 15, 2022. The federal government declared a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) that re-opened the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace through August 15, 2021.

The chart below shows the SEP and OEP dates for the states that use the federal ACA exchange. Coverage begins the first day of the month after you sign up. For example, if you signed up by February 15, your coverage would have been effective March 1.

Special Enrollment and Open Enrollment Periods for 2022

Dates for the 2021 Special Enrollment Period vs. the 2022 Open Enrollment Period

Source: https://www.healthmarkets.com/resources/health-insurance/open-enrollment/

What Open Enrollment Is

Open enrollment is the yearly period when people can enroll in a health insurance plan. 

Special Enrollment

Special enrollment is another period in which you can enroll in a health insurance plan. However, you cannot enroll during special enrollment unless you have a qualifying event. 

In most cases, you're required to have already had coverage prior to the qualifying event in order to sign up for a new plan as a result of the qualifying event (for example, if you move to a new area, it's only a qualifying event allowing you to sign up for a plan in your new area if you already had coverage in your previous location). The restrictions on special enrollment periods make it more important than ever for people to sign up during open enrollment when those restrictions don't apply.

Qualifying Life Events

There are 4 basic types of qualifying life events. 

Loss of health coverage

• Losing existing health coverage, including job-based, individual, and student plans
• Losing eligibility for Medicare, Medicaid, or CHIP
• Turning 26 and losing coverage through a parent's plan - see our article for a detailed guide regarding how long you are eligible to stay on your parents' health insurance 

Changes in household

• Getting married or divorced
• Having a baby or adopting a child
• Death in the family
• Changes in residence

Moving to a different ZIP code or county

• A student moving to or from the place they attend school
• A seasonal worker moving to or from the place they both live and work
• Moving to or from a shelter or other transitional housing
• Other qualifying events

Changes in your income that affect the coverage you qualify for

• Gaining membership in a federally recognized tribe or status as an Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) Corporation shareholder
• Becoming a U.S. citizen
• Leaving incarceration (jail or prison)
• AmeriCorps members starting or ending their service

During open enrollment, employers and companies may change the offered health insurance benefits for their employees. 

Open Enrollment Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

It's important to fully understand how open enrollment works to ensure you can be covered for the following year.

How does the open enrollment period impact me when I'm already insured?

Even if you are already insured and happy with your plan, there are a few things to pay attention to during open enrollment season. During open enrollment season, make sure you note how much your premium will change in the coming year and if this is still feasible for you and your family. 

Additionally, some benefits of your plan or coverage details may change in the coming year. Ensure that you are aware of these changes before the open enrollment period ends, as most states will not let you make changes to your plan after mid-December. 

How does open enrollment work when I receive health insurance from my employer?

If you are hired as an employee at a new job, you do not need to wait until the open enrollment period to get covered by their health insurance. The open enrollment period employer health insurance may overlap with the regular open enrollment period or a few weeks earlier. Check with your employer to determine when their open enrollment period will be and if they are making any changes to the plan in the coming year. 

I don't qualify for special enrollment, and I've missed the open enrollment period. What can I do?

If you missed the Open Enrollment Period in your state and you do not qualify for an SEP, you can apply for a short-term health insurance plan. Short-term health insurance coverage can be purchased outside of OEP for up to 364 days, and you can reapply for short-term coverage for up to 36 months in most states. Short-term health insurance plans might be a good, temporary fit for healthy people, as they will not cover pre-existing conditions like Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans.

Do I have to apply for Medicaid during open enrollment?

You can apply for free or low-cost coverage through Medicaid and CHIP any time, all year. You do not have to wait until the open enrollment period. If you qualify, you can enroll immediately.

Bottom Line

Open enrollment is a specific time during the year where you can get health insurance for the following year. It's important to pay close attention to these dates.

Mira offers affordable healthcare for just $45 per month. Members receive affordable urgent care visits, low-cost lab testing, discounted prescriptions, and more. Sign up today.