When is Open Enrollment for 2024?

The 2024 Open Enrollment Period (OEP) begins November 1, 2023, and ends usually January 15, 2024, in most states. Because January 15 falls on a federal holiday in 2024, OEP will extend until midnight, January 16 in many states.¹

The chart below shows the 2024 OEP dates for the states that use the federal ACA exchange. 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.

Some states with their own ACA exchanges have different date ranges for the 2023 Open Enrollment Period. The chart below shows the SEP and OEP dates for these states.

I Missed My State’s Open Enrollment Deadline. Can I Still Get Healthcare Coverage?

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:²⁰

• • 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.²¹ But, if you miss that 60-day window, you will have to wait until OEP to enroll in an individual health insurance policy for 2024.

If you missed the 2023 Open Enrollment Period in your state and you do not qualify for an SEP, you can apply for a short-term health insurance plan.

• Short-term health insurance coverage can be purchased outside of OEP for up to 364 days, and you can reapply for short-term coverage for up to 36 months in 25 states.²²
• Short-term health insurance plans function as a temporary fit for healthy people, as they will not cover pre-existing conditions, and may be subject to medical underwriting.

If you do not qualify for an SEP and decide not to apply for a short-term health plan, you will have to wait until Open Enrollment 2024 begins in fall 2023.

HealthMarkets can help you determine whether you qualify for an SEP and find an individual health plan that meets your needs. Shop, compare, and enroll in a health plan online or call us at (800) 827-9990.