Open enrollment for 2023 is coming up before you know it! Healthcare coverage is a hot topic across the country. Begin planning now to ensure a smooth process for everyone.
For businesses, this is the time for your budgeting and discussions with benefits providers about healthcare and other benefits for your employees. For employees, seek information from your company about when you’ll have a chance to review your benefits options. For individuals seeking insurance through exchanges or through Medicare, get ready to review options and make decisions about your plans too!
Open Enrollment Dates by State
2023 Open Enrollment begins November 1, 2022, and ends January 15, 2023, in most states. Health Markets outlined the enrollment period for states that use the federal ACA exchanges.
Coverage begins January 1. If you have a Special Enrollment Period, coverage will begin the first day of the month after you sign up. For example, if you sign up on February 15, your coverage will be effective March 1.
| States | Federal Open Enrollment Period for 2023 Plans |
| Alabama | November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
| Alaska | November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
| Arizona | November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
| Arkansas | November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
| Delaware | November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
| Florida | November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
| Georgia | November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
| Hawaii | November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
| Illinois | November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
| Indiana | November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
| Iowa | November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
| Kansas | November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
| Louisiana | November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
| Michigan | November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
| Mississippi | November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
| Missouri | November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
| Montana | November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
| Nebraska | November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
| New Hampshire | November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
| North Carolina | November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
| North Dakota | November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
| Ohio | November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
| Oklahoma | November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
| Oregon | November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
| South Carolina | November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
| South Dakota | November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
| Tennessee | November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
| Texas | November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
| Utah | November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
| Virginia | November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
| West Virginia | November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
| Wisconsin | November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
| Wyoming | November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
Some states with their own ACA exchanges have different date ranges for 2023 Open Enrollment. The chart below highlights what’s known to date.
| State | State Open Enrollment Period for 2023 Plans |
| California | To Be Announced |
| Colorado1 | November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
| Connecticut2 | November 1, 2022 – To Be Announced |
| Idaho | To Be Announced |
| Kentucky | To Be Announced |
| Maine | To Be Announced |
| Maryland3 | November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
| Massachusetts4 | November 1, 2022 – January 23, 2023 |
| Minnesota5 | November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
| Nevada6 | November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
| New Jersey7 | November 1, 2022 – January 31, 2023 |
| New Mexico8 | November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
| New York | To Be Announced |
| Pennsylvania9 | November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
| Rhode Island | To Be Announced |
| Vermont10 | November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
| Washington DC* | To Be Announced |
| Washington | To Be Announced |
| *In Washington, DC, residents can have coverage effective immediately. For example, if residents sign up by June 30, they can choose for their coverage to begin on either June 1 or July 1. |
For Employers and Employees
Sometimes, it’s hard to figure it out! Especially the variety of benefit offerings.
Employers, do you regularly communicate with your employees about the value of the benefits you offer? Providing a forum for your employees to ask questions and learn about the options they have about the benefits provided is a win-win. It’s an opportunity to reinforce the commitment you’re making to your employees and for them to decide what’s best for them.
For Individuals
If this is new for you, HealthCare.gov provides a quick guide to the Health Insurance landscape. Check out their information at: https://www.healthcare.gov/quick-guide/dates-and-deadlines/
For Medicare Enrollment
For most people on Medicare, the term “open enrollment” refers to the period between October 15 and December 7, also known as the Annual Enrollment Period, when those enrolled in Medicare can change their coverage for the following year.
However, other enrollment periods apply to some people. For example, if you have never signed up for Medicare before, you have an initial Medicare enrollment period that starts three months before you turn 65 and ends three months after you turn 65.
You can also change plans during the more limited Medicare Advantage open enrollment from January 1 to March 31. People can only switch Medicare Advantage plans or more from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare during that time.
| Enrollment | What is it? | When is it? |
|---|---|---|
| Initial enrollment | When you first become eligible for Medicare at the age of 65 | From three months before your 65th birthday month to three months after that birthday |
| Medicare open enrollment | Annual period when you can make changes to your Medicare coverage | October 15 to December 7 |
| Medicare Advantage open enrollment | Annual period when you can either change Medicare Advantage plans or move to Original Medicare | January 1 to March 31 |
| Special enrollment period | Special period when you can make changes to your Medicare coverage if you have a qualifying life event | 60 days from when you have a qualifying event |
How do people know if they need to change plans?
People in a Medicare health or prescription drug plan should always review the materials their plans send them, like the “Evidence of Coverage” (EOC) and “Annual Notice of Change” (ANOC). If their plans are changing, they should make sure their plans will still meet their needs for the following year. If they’re satisfied that their current plans will meet their needs for next year and it’s still being offered, they don’t need to do anything.
Where can people find Medicare plan information or compare plans?
1-800-MEDICARE or Medicare.gov.
Planning Throughout the Year
In uncertain times, planning what you can before it’s needed can build resilience. For those who don’t know me, contingency planning is my thing!
When it’s time for you to focus on practical and actionable steps you can take now while you are living, and/or have questions, let’s talk! You can send me a note: Lynn@thelivingplanner.com or call/text my office +1951.400.5966.
If you’d like general information about what I do and why I do it, my website is: https://thelivingplanner.com and my online courses/resources will give you an idea of what I offer to assist people, pets and businesses on this website: https://courses.thelivingplanner.com
To the week ahead, here is a reminder from Eleanor Roosevelt “It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.” Use your energy well – here’s to planning 💗 –Lynn
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