When it comes to your health insurance, Open Enrollment is the most important time of the year. This is the time that you’ll be able to change your plan, or enroll in a new one that better suits your needs and saves you money. It’s imperative that you know when the Open Enrollment Period (OEP) starts and how long it lasts so that you don’t miss out! If you do miss the OEP, you may have to wait an entire year in order to make changes, that is unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). With all that being said, it’s super important to act before the deadline and avoid waiting until the last minute. To help you on this endeavor, we’ve outlined the key OEP dates for every state, to ensure you have ample time to get enrolled!
The 2025 OEP begins November 1st, 2024 in most states, and since changes to the OEP last year, it generally runs through January 15th in most states. Some states, though, have extended their OEP a little longer. Take a look at the following so you know when your state’s OEP begins and when it ends.
States With January 15th Deadlines
Alabama
There are currently 33 states that have a January 15 deadline for the health insurance OEP.
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Louisiana
Michigan
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
New Hampshire
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Virginia
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
States with Different OEP Dates
Some states with their own ACA exchanges have different date ranges for the 2025 Open Enrollment Period. The chart below shows the State Enrollment Period (SEP) and OEP dates for these states; other states have not yet announced their dates (these are also listed below).
State
State Open Enrollment Period for 2025 Plans
California
November 1, 2024 – January 31, 2025
Colorado
November 1, 2024 – January 15, 2025
Connecticut
November 1, 2024 – January 15, 2025
Idaho
October 15, 2024 – December 15, 2025
Kentucky
November 1, 2024 – January 15, 2025
Maine
November 1, 2024 – January 15, 2025
Maryland
November 1, 2024 – January 15, 2025
Massachusetts
November 1, 2024 – January 23, 2025
Minnesota
November 1, 2024 – January 15, 2025
Nevada
November 1, 2024 – January 15, 2025
New Jersey
November 1, 2024 – January 31, 2025
New Mexico
November 1, 2024 – January 15, 2025
New York
November 16, 2024 – January 31, 2025
Pennsylvania
November 1, 2024 – January 15, 2025
Rhode Island
November 1, 2024 – January 31, 2025
Vermont
November 1, 2024 – January 15, 2025
Washington DC
November 1, 2024 – January 31, 2025
Washington
November 1, 2024 – January 15, 2025
Looking For Affordable Health Insurance?
The health insurance 2025 Open Enrollment Period is open from November 1 until January 15 (depending on your state), so now is the perfect time to reconsider getting a health insurance plan, or looking into your current one and making sure it’s got you covered. And if your plan doesn’t cover everything you need it to, it’s time to find a plan that does, so you can save as much money as possible.
If you’re shopping for a plan, your best bet is to speak to a licensed EZ agent. Our agents work with the top-rated insurance companies in the nation, so we can compare plans in minutes. We will not only find a plan that has all the benefits you’re looking for, but we will also make sure the plan meets your financial needs. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a local agent, call 888-694-0047. No obligation.
The Open Enrollment Period is almost over: you only have until January 15 to purchase or change your plan! With that being said, though, some states have chosen to extend their deadline; they can do this because, under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), each state can run its own health insurance exchange, or Marketplace, in which people can shop for health insurance.
This state-based Marketplace is a government agency that is created and maintained by the state, and that offers subsidized ACA plans for residents of that state. You can buy a plan from your state’s Marketplace, or you have the option of buying off-exchange coverage from an insurance company; if you do this, you will not get premium subsidies and cost-sharing reductions– those are only available through the exchange. So which states run their own Marketplaces and what does that mean for you?
State-Run Vs. Federally Run Exchanges
When the ACA was passed in 2010, it provided funding and laid out rules for states to be able to establish their own exchanges; if states chose not to have their own exchange, the federal government would then step in and offer insurance for that state’s residents. So, many states chose to do it themselves so they could have more control of their Marketplace, and make it more profitable and sustainable. The federally run exchange, accessible through Healthcare.gov, is used in 36 states. The other 14 states (and Washington D.C.) have their own exchanges.
States With Their Own Exchanges:
California (Covered California)
Deadline is January 31
Colorado (Connect for Health Colorado)
Connecticut (Access Health CT)
District of Columbia (DC Health Link)
Idaho (Your Health Idaho)
Maryland (Maryland Health Connection)
Massachusetts (Massachusetts Health Connector)
Deadline is January 23
Minnesota (MNsure)
Nevada (Nevada Health Link)
New Jersey (Get Covered NJ)
Deadline is January 31
New York (New York State of Health)
Pennsylvania (Pennie)
Rhode Island (HealthSource RI)
Deadline is January 31
Vermont (Vermont Health Connect)
Washington (Washington Healthplanfinder)
If you live in a state that has its own exchange, your health insurance plan options and prices might be a little different than if you only have the option of using Healthcare.gov or going off-exchange. In addition, depending on where you live, your OEP might be extended! But just because your state is in control of the Marketplace, that doesn’t mean you can’t find a great affordable ACA-compliant health insurance plan that is right for you by working with an EZ agent.
Looking For Insurance?
The best way to get the right plan for you and your needs is by working with a licensed health insurance agent. At EZ, our agents are highly trained and work with the top-rated insurance companies in the nation, in every state! We will connect you with a local agent who will go over your medical needs and budget, and sift through all the available plans in minutes. We’ll quickly find you a plan that will save you money – especially now, with the premium subsidies President Biden has extended to all Americans. You could save hundreds of dollars a year! No hassle and no obligation. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a local agent, call 888-350-1890.
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.
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
Be sure to review the ANOC letter you will receive about your current plan’s coverage for next year.
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.
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.
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
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.
