Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment What You Need To Know
The Affordable Care Act, colloquially known as Obamacare, gives people a chance to buy health insurance on an open marketplace. People can get ACA-compliant coverage on the Health Insurance Marketplace if they are not insured through their employer, the government, or a similar source.
However, there are limitations on when you can and can’t sign up for coverage, causing many to ask, “when is open enrollment for Obamacare?” In this guide, we’ll go over the Obamacare open enrollment dates, exceptions to the rule, and more, so you can be prepared when you’re ready to sign up for healthcare coverage.
What is the 2022 fall Obamacare open enrollment?
The 2022 open enrollment period is your yearly chance to sign up for or make changes to your healthcare coverage. This period is for coverage going into effect for the 2023 plan year. During this time, all people shopping for individual or family insurance can buy or switch their insurance through the federal exchange.
The Obamacare open enrollment will run from November 1 to December 15, 2022, in most states for coverage starting January 1, 2023. However, you can enroll in health insurance up to January 15th in most states.
Additionally, many state legislatures created special enrollment periods, extended their special enrollment periods, and expanded eligibility criteria to help as many uninsured folks get coverage as possible.
Since fall open enrollment details may vary by state, it’s always best to check with your state’s insurance department for more information.
When are the Obamacare open enrollment deadlines?
Since open enrollment for Obamacare can only take place during the designated period, it is important to get signed up before the deadline.
For states that do not have their own health insurance portals, the last day for Affordable Care Act open enrollment that will start on January 1, 2023, is December 15, 2022, according to Healthcare.gov, and the first enrollment day is November 1. For coverage starting later, the final open enrollment day is January 15, 2023.
States using the default Healthcare.gov system for Obamacare open enrollment 2022, including its default deadlines, are:
The enrollment deadline may be different for states that use their own portals. Here are the dates for these states:
Can anyone get a health insurance plan during this open enrollment for Obamacare?
There was a previous expectation that only people who were uninsured could participate since that was the case with some states who launched their own COVID special enrollment periods (SEPs). These states included Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, and Washington, D.C.
However, once the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced the details for the Obamacare open enrollment, it was clear they wanted to cast a wide net and allow as many people as possible to enroll in or switch their coverage.
And, as mentioned, the annual fall open enrollment is different from a special enrollment period. Anyone can use this time frame to sign up for or make changes to their coverage. You don’t need to have a qualifying life event to participate.
Learn more about how Obamacare works.
Are all health insurance carriers participating in the open enrollment?
Yes, all health insurance plans available through the federal exchange are participating in the Obamacare open enrollment reopening period. However, specific health plan options and insurance companies may vary by state.
How can I buy a health insurance plan during the Affordable Care Act open enrollment?
In states without their own platforms, Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance is purchased through the Health Insurance Marketplace website. To sign up there, you first create an account on the site. Then, you enter your location, and the site will show you the plans available in your state and county. You can filter the results to only show the types of health plans you want, plans from a specific insurance company, monthly premiums, or any of several other features. Once you find a plan you like, click the button that indicates that you want to enroll in it.
If your state has its own ACA website, sign up through it instead of the federal version. Each state’s site will have its own specifics for the process of enrolling.
You can also sign up through sites like eHealth. With eHealth, you can easily find and compare plans that are available in your area to find coverage that both meets your needs and fits your budget.
What states provide additional state subsidies?
The ACA provides federal subsidies for insurance to those who qualify, but 39 states added their own subsidies to make it even easier for low-income people to be insured. These extra subsidies come from Medicaid expansion. Here is a list of states that have implemented this expansion.
