Open Enrollment Explained (Health Insurance)

What does open enrollment mean?

Open enrollment is a period of time each year that you can or have to sign up for new health insurance benefits (if you don’t already have them) or change existing benefits. It has a lot to do with how old you are and if you receive Medicare benefits or not.

If you are on Medicare or over the age of 65, your open enrollment for 2018 is October 15, 2017, to December 7, 2017. If you are enrolled in Medicare and a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) or have a prescription-drug plan (Part D) you can change your benefits or change carriers during this time.

If you have a Medicare supplement, you are not affected by this open-enrollment period. Many, however, that are on a Medicare Supplement carry a separate prescription-drug plan (Part D). A Prescription-Drug Plan (Part D)  can be changed during this open-enrollment period. Medicare Supplements can be changed anytime if meet health underwriting qualifications.

If you are under the age of 65 and not on Medicare, open enrollment for the Federal Marketplace  (Healthcare.gov) runs from November 1, 2017, to December 15, 2017 (yes, it is shorter this year). If you do not have healthcare insurance, you can sign up for coverage between those dates.

If you have been with the Marketplace (sometimes referred to as healthcare.gov) and if your plan still exists for 2018 you will be passively renewed.  If your current (2017) plan is not being offered for 2018 you will need to pick a new plan.  We are will be glad to help you make that choice.  If you do not do anything in this situation you will not have health insurance. There are fines for not having health insurance.

If you have any questions about these “open enrollment” dates or Health Insurance, please contact us.  We have self-quoting abilities on our website.

Make an appointment to discuss your options with us.