Health Insurance Open Enrollment time is here in the US. Heads-up! Open enrollment for employees, for individuals and for those on Medicare is here. Here are some tips to help you/yours this year.
What is the open enrollment period for 2022?
Private companies can set their own open enrollment periods with many choosing to do so in the fall of each year. There’s also a nation-wide public open enrollment period each year. For 2021, it begins on November 1 and ends on December 15.
What states have different open enrollment deadlines?
MANY STATES HAVE OPTED FOR EXTENDED OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIODS TO MAKE THE SOMETIMES COMPLICATED AND STRESSFUL PROCESS A LITTLE LESS RUSHED.
https://www.zenefits.com/workest/key-dates-you-need-to-know-for-open-enrollment-2022/
| States | Federal Open Enrollment Period for 2022 Plans |
| Alabama | November 1, 2021 – January 15, 2022 |
| Alaska | November 1, 2021 – January 15, 2022 |
| Arizona | November 1, 2021 – January 15, 2022 |
| Arkansas | November 1, 2021 – January 15, 2022 |
| Delaware | November 1, 2021 – January 15, 2022 |
| Florida | November 1, 2021 – January 15, 2022 |
| Georgia | November 1, 2021 – January 15, 2022 |
| Hawaii | November 1, 2021 – January 15, 2022 |
| Illinois | November 1, 2021 – January 15, 2022 |
| Indiana | November 1, 2021 – January 15, 2022 |
| Iowa | November 1, 2021 – January 15, 2022 |
| Kansas | November 1, 2021 – January 15, 2022 |
| Louisiana | November 1, 2021 – January 15, 2022 |
| Michigan | November 1, 2021 – January 15, 2022 |
| Mississippi | November 1, 2021 – January 15, 2022 |
| Missouri | November 1, 2021 – January 15, 2022 |
| Montana | November 1, 2021 – January 15, 2022 |
| Nebraska | November 1, 2021 – January 15, 2022 |
| New Hampshire | November 1, 2021 – January 15, 2022 |
| North Carolina | November 1, 2021 – January 15, 2022 |
| North Dakota | November 1, 2021 – January 15, 2022 |
| Ohio | November 1, 2021 – January 15, 2022 |
| Oklahoma | November 1, 2021 – January 15, 2022 |
| Oregon | November 1, 2021 – January 15, 2022 |
| South Carolina | November 1, 2021 – January 15, 2022 |
| South Dakota | November 1, 2021 – January 15, 2022 |
| Tennessee | November 1, 2021 – January 15, 2022 |
| Texas | November 1, 2021 – January 15, 2022 |
| Utah | November 1, 2021 – January 15, 2022 |
| Virginia | November 1, 2021 – January 15, 2022 |
| West Virginia | November 1, 2021 – January 15, 2022 |
| Wisconsin | November 1, 2021 – January 15, 2022 |
| Wyoming | November 1, 2021 – January 15, 2022 |
States with their own ACA Exchanges may have Different Dates. See below for those states who have extended dates for open enrollment.
- California: October 15, 2021 through January 31, 2022*
- Colorado: November 1, 2021 through January 15, 2022*
- Connecticut: November 1, 2021 through January 15, 2022
- Idaho: November 1, 2021 through December 31, 2020
- Massachusetts: November 1, 2021 through January 23, 2022*
- Minnesota: November 1, 2021 through December 22, 2021
- Nevada: November 1, 2021 through January 15, 2022
- New Jersey: November 1, 2021 through January 31, 2022
- New York: November 1, 2021 through January 31, 2022
- Pennsylvania: November 1, 2021 through January 15, 2022
- Rhode Island: October 15, 2021 through December 31, 2022
- Washington DC: November 1, 2021 through January 31, 2022*
* signifies a permanent extension that applies every year
When does the Health Plan go into Effect?
Open enrollment is just the time period within which people can make changes to their health insurance plans. The changes they make — if any — don’t go into effect until the following year, which is 2022 in this instance.
Any changes or new selections made during open enrollment 2022 will take effect on January 1, 2022, which is the earliest that new healthcare coverage can begin. If your state offers open enrollment extensions beyond December 15 (aka any of the states in the list above), your new health insurance or any changes you make might start later than January 1st.
If You Miss Your State Deadline
If you missed the enrollment deadline in your state, it is still possible that you can qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) that will allow you to apply for health insurance. You can qualify for an SEP if you have experienced a qualifying life event. Qualifying life events can include:
- The loss of health insurance through a job.
- Household changes such as marriage, divorce, a death in the family, or having a baby.
- A change in your home address.
See a list of qualifying life events. You have 60 days to enroll in a plan, if you qualify for an SEP. But, if you miss that 60-day window, you will have to wait until OEP to enroll in a policy.
FAQs: Health Insurance Marketplace and the ACA
The Kaiser Family Foundation provides a comprehensive FAQ covering the many types of insurance people of all ages, including Medicare. It’s important for you to review the plan you have vs. the ones available each year to determine if the plan you currently have is best suited to you for the year ahead.
Here is the link covering marketplace and non-marketplace resources to explore: https://www.kff.org/faqs/faqs-health-insurance-marketplace-and-the-aca/?view=1
Annual Reviews are Important
It’s that time of year to review what you have in place and what’s needed for the year ahead. Making time for this if often difficult amidst everything we “do” every day, I know.
Health, Finances, Protection Policies and Legal Protection are the main four I focus on each year. Considering how quickly life changes, it’s wise to take a look at what you have done (or haven’t) to consider updates needed to line up with your life now and in line with state and national law changes made in the past year.
That’s where I come in 🙂 Finding ways to make it easier for you to assess what you have in place and what’s needed is what I love to do. I’ve learned so much about this in my professional and personal life. The short-term commitment pays off big time in the long-term.
Before life’s twists and turns impact you, your loved ones and your business, let’s talk. When you dig into the nitty gritty of your life, organize what needs to be done, and take action, it is a huge relief.
Check out my website to learn about me and what I do: https://thelivingplanner.com Have questions, email me: Lynn@thelivingplanner.com
Take care of you –Lynn
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