When Is the Open Enrollment Period for Individual Health Insurance?

The Open Enrollment (OEP) timeframe is between November 1 and January 15. Policies applied for between November 1 and December 15, have a policy effective date on the 1st of the following year. Policies applied for between December 16 and January 15 will have a February 1st effective date.

Individual plans offered at this time typically have no preexisting condition clauses, no waiting periods, and unlimited maximum benefits. During OEP almost anyone under the age of 65 can select an individual health insurance plan, with no medical questions asked. This is an excellent time to pick up coverage for persons that have none.

The Open Enrollment Period is also a time that people can go onto the health Insurance Marketplace to seek a subsidy to offset their premiums for the upcoming year. Based on new laws these subsidies have increased. If you'd like to explore individual plans on your own, please check out the Find a Plan tool or visit the Individual Plans section on my website.