From: Staffing
Open enrollment is the period when individuals can enroll, renew, adjust, or cancel their health insurance. Most types of health insurance, such as employer-sponsored, medicare, and marketplace health insurance, have open enrollment periods. Open enrollment occurs once a year, usually in the fall for coverage to start January 1st of the following year. However, the exact open enrollment window depends on the source of the insurance.
Open enrollment provides individuals with the opportunity to select the health insurance coverage that best fits their needs. This may include enrolling in new benefits, choosing coverage levels, adjusting contributions, and adding beneficiaries. Some healthcare plans may also allow individuals to enroll in vision, dental life, and disability insurance. Individuals who missed the open enrollment period could risk going without health coverage for the entire year until the next annual open enrollment period. However, people who experience certain qualifying life events such as changes in residence, marriage, divorce, or having a baby may qualify for a special enrollment period outside of the open enrollment window in which they can enroll in or adjust their health insurance plans. It’s important that individuals understand the details of open enrollment such as how long open enrollment will last when it ends. And any significant benefits changes for the coming year to make informed health coverage choices for themselves and their families.
