Open enrollment is the time of year you can make changes to your existing coverage or purchase a new health insurance policy.
When it comes to individual medical insurance, there is a national open enrollment period (OEP) that takes place roughly the same time for everyone. Being offered this benefit for the first time also creates a qualifying life event that allows you to enroll outside the national OEP.
When is open enrollment?
Each marketplace sets its own dates for open enrollment. See below for a list of each state’s marketplace and open enrollment dates:
| California: | Covered California | November 1 - January 31 |
| Colorado: | Connect for Health | November 1 - January 15 |
| Connecticut: | Access Health CT | November 1 - January 15 |
| Idaho: | Your Health Idaho | October 15 - December 15 |
| Kentucky | Kentucky Health Benefit Exchange | November 1 - January 15 |
| Maine | Cover Me | November 1 - January 15 |
| Maryland: | Maryland Health Connection | November 1 - January 15 |
| Massachusetts: | Massachusetts Health Connector | November 1 - January 23 |
| Minnesota: | MNsure | November 1 - January 15 |
| Nevada: | Nevada Health | November 1 - January 15 |
| New Jersey | Get Covered NJ | November 1 - January 31 |
| New Mexico | Be Well NM | November 1 - January 15 |
| New York: | NY State of Health | November 1 - January 31 |
| Pennsylvania: | PA State-based exchange | November 1 - January 15 |
| Rhode Island: | HealthSource RI | November 1 - January 31 |
| Vermont: | Vermont Health Connect | November 1 - January 15 |
| Virginia | Virginia's Insurance Marketplace | November 1 - January 15 |
| Washington: | Health Benefit Exchange | November 1 - January 15 |
| Washington, DC: | DC Health Link | November 1 - January 31 |
| All other states: | Healthcare.gov | November 1 - January 15 |
For more information, read our blog about open enrollment.
What if I miss open enrollment?
When open enrollment is over, you can only purchase a major medical policy if you have a qualifying life event, such as getting married, having a baby, moving, etc. Being offered this benefit for the first time also creates a qualifying life event!
This reimbursement benefit works in any situation and at any time of the year. Even if you can’t purchase a major medical policy, you have other options, such as purchasing short-term health insurance or choosing to use the benefit without insurance.
Important: Please note that PeopleKeep operates independently on deadlines when you shop for insurance through your PeopleKeep dashboard. Be sure to stay aware of key dates and updates on the platform.