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Health Insurance Open Enrollment FAQ

The Open Enrollment Period for health insurance is a very important time, when you can change or enroll in a health insurance plan for coverage beginning the following year. It runs from November 1 to December 15, and is the only time during the year when you can purchase a plan, unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. To better prepare you for the Open Enrollment Period, including what to expect and how to find a great plan, we’ve answered some FAQ below.

When Is The Annual Open Enrollment Period?

calendar with the date on november 1 — *Health insurance Open Enrollment begins on November 1st every year.*

The Open Enrollment Period is the one time of the year that you can buy or change your health insurance; if you do not buy health insurance during the Open Enrollment Period, you will have to wait until the following year to do so, unless you experience a qualifying life event.

The Federal Open Enrollment Period starts on November 1st and ends December 15, which gives you just about six weeks to choose a health insurance plan and sign up for one. However, some states have permanently extended their Open Enrollment Period until January 15th or 31st, with coverage beginning February 1st.

Am I Eligible To Enroll In Marketplace Health Insurance?

To be eligible to enroll in ACA Marketplace health insurance, you must:

Be between the ages of 18 and 64
Live in the United States
Be a U.S. citizen
Not currently be incarcerated

envelope in a blue circle — Be sure to review the ANOC letter you will receive about your current plan’s coverage for next year.

What Changes Can I Make During Open Enrollment?

If you currently have a health insurance plan, you will receive an annual notice of change (ANOC) letter in the mail prior to Open Enrollment; you’ll need to carefully review this because there might be changes being made to the price or coverage of your plan. But if your plan is not changing and you are happy with it, you will be automatically re-enrolled for next year.

If you are unhappy with your health insurance plan, you can switch to a new one, but you will have to review all of the plans in your area, including new ones that might have been added. If you don’t review plans in your area during the Open Enrollment Period, you won’t know if there is a better plan for you; the best way to do this is by working with one of EZ’s licensed local agents, who can compare plans easily for you in minutes.

What If I Miss The Open Enrollment Period?

If you miss the Open Enrollment Period, your choices will be very limited until next year’s Open Enrollment Period, unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. To qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP), you’ll need to have experienced one of the following qualifying life events:

Getting married or divorced
Death of a spouse or policyholder
The birth or adoption of a child
Loss of health insurance coverage
Moving to a new area where the health plans are different from what you currently have

If you are looking for health insurance temporarily until the next Open Enrollment Period, you have the option of short-term health insurance, which will cover you for up to 36 months, but this type of plan has limited coverage.

Can I Afford Health Insurance?

The first thing you should do if you’re looking to save money is work with an agent who can compare plans for you and find one that fits your budget. Next, check to see if you qualify for subsidies, such as premium tax credits and cost-sharing subsidies. Premium subsidies are available in every state, and help make health insurance more affordable. Eligibility for subsidies is based on your household income; it’s definitely worth checking to see if you qualify, since President Biden recently extended premium subsidies to millions of Americans, making them easier to get, even for those with an income of 400% of the federal poverty level or higher.

How Do I Find A Plan?

If you have any further questions, or need help finding a plan during the Open Enrollment Period, an EZ agent can help you. We will provide you with a local licensed agent who will search all available plans in your area and find the best one for your medical and financial needs. We will also double check to see if you qualify for any subsidies to save you even more money. All of our services are done in minutes and at no cost to you. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a local license agent call 888-350-1890.

Biden Administration Extends ACA Open Enrollment Period!

The Biden Administration is doing all it can to encourage Americans to sign up for health insurance, including extending enrollment periods and subsidies. And now, because the Covid Special Enrollment Period that ended in August was so successful (3 million Americans signed up for health insurance during that time!) President Biden has decided to extend the fall Affordable Care Act (ACA) Open Enrollment Period (OEP) by 30 days. The OEP will now run from November 1- January 15, 2022, meaning you will have 75 days to purchase health insurance this year instead of the usual 45 days (the OEP usually ends on December 15). And not only will the OEP be extended, but the Administration is also offering more ways to make health insurance affordable for millions more people.

OEP Extended

The Biden Administration has made getting as many Americans insured as possible a top priority, which is why they are issuing this extension.

“Health care is a basic human right, and the Biden-Harris Administration is committed to making health coverage more accessible than ever. With the Affordable Care Act and the American Rescue Plan, the President has brought affordable health coverage to millions—many of whom now have insurance for the first time,” said Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. “Today’s action to extend the Open Enrollment Period by a month, to continue our investment in local health care Navigators, and to establish a special enrollment period for many low-income people further demonstrates our commitment to connect families to coverage.”

Low-Income Health Insurance SEP

In addition to extending the OEP and premium tax credits for millions of Americans under the American Rescue Plan, the Biden Administration is also planning to to help low-income households sign up for health insurance by establishing a monthly Special Enrollment Period for low-income households with incomes no greater than 150% of the federal poverty line. This will make it easier for low-income people to enroll in marketplace coverage all year long, and will help the millions of people who are expected to lose Medicaid coverage at the end of the declared public health emergency successfully transition to exchange coverage.

illustration of a family of 4 in a bubble with hands holding the bubble — *The new low-income SEP will make it easier for low-income people to enroll in marketplace coverage all year long.*

Those wanting to take advantage of the low-income SEP will only be able to purchase plans through the marketplace exchanges, and state-based exchanges can choose to implement, or not implement, the SEP. Buyers will be able to purchase any metal-tier plan, but those wanting to switch their coverage will be limited to purchasing Silver plans.

“We’re continuing to answer the clear call from the American public for affordable, accessible care,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. “The Biden-Harris Administration has already made historic investments to help connect communities to coverage. By continuing to build a policy framework that can support this momentum, we’re also building back better for communities in need.”

Nobody should have to go without health insurance, especially during these difficult times. So to help provide health insurance to more Americans, the Biden Administration is making changes to the health insurance system in this country, allowing everyone more time to get coverage and more opportunities to find an affordable plan. If you would like to review your options in your area, contact a local licensed EZ agent. Our agents are highly trained and work with the top-rated insurance companies in the nation, making comparing plans fast and easy. To get free quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak with a licensed agent, call 888-350-1890.

How To Switch Plans During The Open Enrollment Period

Not happy with your health insurance plan? Looking to make a change during this year’s Open Enrollment Period? Well, now is the time to make the switch to a plan that better suits your needs – you only have from November 1st to December 15th to do so! But we get it, health insurance can be complicated and it can be confusing trying to figure out which plan to choose: there are so many plans from so many different insurance carriers, so you might not even know where to begin. So to make the process easier for you, we’ve laid out what to look for and how to execute the switch.

Reasons To Switch Plans

There are a number of reasons why you might want to switch plans during the Open Enrollment Period, including:

Changes to your plan’s network– Every year, there will be changes made to your health insurance plan, including to your network of doctors and specialists. This means doctors that you might have been going to for a long time might no longer be in your network, and if you choose to continue seeing them, you will have to pay a lot more out-of-pocket.
You are moving– If you are moving, your current health insurance plan might not work in the area you are moving to, so you will have to find a new plan and doctor.
Your family situation has changed– If you are adding a family member to your plan or if you have lost a family member, you’ll need a plan with more or less coverage.
You’re not happy with your coverage– If you’re looking to save some money, you might want to look for a plan with less coverage, or if you feel that your plan doesn’t offer enough coverage for you and your family, you’ll want to look for one with more benefits.

Things To Keep In Mind When Switching Plans

Before you make a decision to switch plans, there are a few things that you have to consider. When looking for a plan that is right for you, focus on:

All of the costs associated with each plan– You’ll need to take into consideration not just the price of each plan’s monthly premiums, but also the deductibles, co-pays, and coinsurance that you’ll be responsible for paying out-of-pocket.
The network– Do you have a particular doctor who you want to continue seeing? Make sure that you review each network’s plan, so you will know if your doctors are covered.
The coverage– Each plan will cover services differently: for example, some will not cover a medical procedure or drug, while others might cover it completely. You need to determine what you need covered, as well as review the preventive care services, prescription drug formulary, and other coverage associated with each plan.

How To Switch Plans

illustration of a woman with a headset on sitting in front of a computer — *Working with an EZ agent will allow you to find the best plan and deal in your area, for free.*

The best way to find a plan that suits your needs is by working with a licensed agent who is familiar with all the plans in your area, and who can go over any changes to your plan, like increases to your premiums, with you. EZ offers personal agents who will compare all available plans in your area and even help you switch plans for free – they will even take care of all the little details of switching and making sure everything is all set with your new plan, like notifying your current health insurance company that you are moving on.

Our agents work with the top-rated insurance companies in the country, so they have quick and easy access to all plans in your area. They will go over your medical and financial needs, and then compare all plans, including their coverage, premiums, deductibles, and other costs associated with each plan. We will help you find an affordable plan, and maybe even lower your health insurance costs! To compare plans in your area for free, enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to one of our highly trained, licensed agents, call 888-350-1890.

If You Missed The Covid Special Enrollment Period, You’ve Got Another Chance To Sign Up!

Life can get pretty hectic, so it’s totally understandable if you missed out on the Covid-19 Special Enrollment Period, which ran from February to August of this year, and allowed Americans to sign up for health insurance outside of the usual Open Enrollment Period. But if you’re kicking yourself for not changing your plan or enrolling in a plan when you had the chance, don’t worry! You now have the opportunity again to find a great plan and save money: the ACA Open Enrollment Period started November 1st and will run through December 15 in most states, with an extension into January for others. Don’t miss out again on finding a great affordable plan!

Know Your Deadline!

a red circle with the word deadline inside of it multiple times around — *Depending on the state you live in, your deadline might be longer.*

As we mentioned, some states have different Open Enrollment Period deadlines. The deadline to change or sign up for a plan in most states is December 15, except for:

California: January 31
Colorado: January 15
Connecticut: January 15
Idaho: December 31
Massachusetts: January 23
Minnesota: December 22
Nevada: January 15
New Jersey: January 31
New York: January 31
Pennsylvania: January 15
Rhode Island: December 31
Washington DC: January 31

Extra Savings You Can Get Now

The Covid-19 pandemic has taken a toll on everyone, and the government took initiative to try and help Americans stay protected by opening the Special Enrollment Period in February, but that is not all they did. President Biden has also extended extra savings to Americans signing up for health insurance: his American Rescue Plan (ARP) is allowing more Americans to qualify for premium subsidies. Now, households with income up to 150% of the federal poverty level are eligible for subsidies that fully cover the cost of the benchmark plan, meaning they can select either of the two lowest-cost Silver plans and have no monthly premium.

Not only that, but the American Rescue Plan Act also allows those who earn over 400% of the federal poverty level to receive subsidies to purchase health insurance through the ACA Marketplace, requires that Americans pay no more than 8.5% of their income on health insurance premiums, and provides a larger tax credit to people who already receive financial assistance. Depending on your family size and income level, you could pay as low as $0 for a plan, or save up to $1000 a month in premiums.

Save More With EZ

We get that trying to find a great plan while saving as much money as possible is not easy; it can be time-consuming and downright frustrating. But EZ is here to help: our agents work with the top-rated insurance companies in the nation, making it easier and faster to compare plans in your area. In fact, we can compare plans in your area for you and your family in minutes! We will provide you with an agent who will find a plan that covers your medical needs, and will allow you to stay within your budget.

And unlike other companies who just want to make a dime off you, we just want to help you stay healthy by finding a great plan that won’t break the bank. That’s why all of our services are free! Let an EZ agent start comparing plans for you now, before Open Enrollment is over. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a licensed local agent, call 888-350-1890.

What Information Will You Need in Order To Enroll in a Health Insurance Plan for 2022?

The Health Insurance Open Enrollment Period, or ACA Open Enrollment Period, begins on November 1st and runs through December 15 in most states, or through January in a select number of states. You can change your healthcare plan during this time, or if you don’t have health insurance, this is the time of year to enroll. In fact, this is the only time you can enroll in an ACA plan, unless you experience what’s known as a “qualifying event” (like getting married or having a child), which would open up a Special Enrollment Period for you. Before you enroll in a plan, though, it’s important to first find out what kind of information you will need to complete your application.

Finding A Plan

illustration of a person holding a large magnifying glass looking through — *The best way to find a plan is to compare each plan in detail, and the easiest way to do this is by working with an EZ agent.*

Before we get into what you will need to enroll in a plan, let’s review how to find the best plan for your needs. The only way to make sure you’re getting the best plan for your needs is by comparing every available plan in your area, but this can be overwhelming and time-consuming, so make things easier on yourself by working with a licensed agent, who will have access to info on every plan’s coverage and price. An EZ agent can compare plans in minutes for you for free, saving you time and money, while finding the best plan for your medical and financial needs.

Be Prepared

While searching for a plan, you will need some important information to not only find the right plan, but to save you as much money as possible. To make the process go more smoothly, be prepared with:

Your name, address, email address, social security number, and birth date.
Your household size and income, with proof in the form of your pay stub, W2, or tax return. You’ll need this info for any plan you want to enroll in, but you’ll definitely want to use your financial info to check if you qualify for any premium subsidies or cost-sharing reductions, which could save you hundreds of dollars.
All of your doctors’ names and locations so you can make sure that the plan you’re considering covers them. If your doctors are not in the plan’s network, you could end up with some surprise medical bills.
Any medications you are taking. Each plan has its own drug formulary, meaning each plan places medications in one of 4 tiers, which affects how much the drug costs. It is important to make sure that your medications are covered, and that they will not be too expensive for you.
Payment information, preferably a credit or debit card.

black question mark in a yellow circle — *The OEP normally ends December 15, but it is important to check within the state you live in, as some have extended the deadline.*

When Your Plan Will Go Into Effect

Once you’ve given all of this information to your agent, and you are all set with an affordable plan, your next question might be “When will my plan go into effect?” In states where the ACA Open Enrollment Period ends December 15, coverage will take effect on January 1st. If you already have a plan, and are switching to a new plan, your current plan will end December 31st, and the new one will begin January 1. If you are in one of the states that has an extended Open Enrollment Period through the month of January (California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington, and Washington D.C.), your new plan’s coverage will begin February 1st.

Need Help?

It is possible to find affordable plans, and with President Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which expanded premium subsidies to more Americans, you could save anywhere from $50 to $1,000 a month. Finding an affordable plan can be time-consuming and confusing if you’re doing it on your own, but it’s so much easier with an EZ agent; with help from one of our agents, you can cut down on time and stress, and save as much money as possible. Our highly trained agents work with the top-rated insurance companies in the country, and can compare plans for you in mere minutes; not only that, but our services are completely free. To get free instant quotes and guidance, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to one of our local licensed agents, call 888-350-1890.