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Timeline For Open Enrollment This Year – 2022

Each year as autumn slips away and winter storms its way in, kids start to think about the holidays, while their parents have visions of deductibles and HMOs dancing in their heads. For individuals and businesses large and small, Open Enrollment is a time where employers ensure their employees know the what, how, and why to sign up for health insurance.

National Open Enrollment Period

The national Open Enrollment Period remains largely the same year over year, beginning November 1 and ending December 15. Open Enrollment is when health insurance pricing is released for the upcoming year, and while this period primarily applies to individuals who need health insurance, many businesses often have their renewal during this same time. Additionally, many states leave the Open Enrollment Period open for a longer window of time. This larger window often allows enrollment into January, giving individuals more time to select a plan. Understanding when each state starts and ends this period is critical when you have an individual who needs to enroll in a health insurance plan.

 

What Happens If You Miss Open Enrollment

If you miss the Open Enrollment Period and are an individual looking for health insurance, you may be able to qualify for the Special Enrollment Period. A Special Enrollment Period is a 60-day window to enroll in a plan, that begins with a life event. If you don’t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, and missed the Open Enrollment Period in your state, you may still have options, including Medicaid.

The qualifications for a Special Enrollment Period sign-up include:

  • A change in your household (including having or adopting a child, a member of your household dying, getting divorced, or getting married)
  • Losing your health coverage through a life event (such as getting a divorce, losing your job, or losing your Medicaid eligibility)
  • Permanently moving somewhere with different health insurance options
  • Aging off of a parent’s health insurance plan
  • Having a change in income or household status that changes your eligibility for tax credits or cost-sharing reductions

State-by-State Open Enrollment Periods

As noted above, several states have their own Open Enrollment Period, typically lasting beyond the national timeline. This means that in your state of residence, you may have additional time to apply for a health insurance plan in 2022. Here’s a breakdown of each state’s specific criteria.

State Open Enrollment Period
Alabama November 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021
Alaska November 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021
Arizona November 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021
Arkansas November 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021
California November 1, 2021 – January 31, 2022
Enrollments completed by December 15 will have coverage starting January 1, and those who enroll between December 16 and January 31 will have coverage starting February 1.
Colorado November 1, 2021 – January 15, 2022
Enrollments completed by December 15 will have coverage starting January 1, and those who enroll between December 16 and January 15 will have coverage starting February 1.
Connecticut November 1, 2021 – December 31, 2021
Delaware November 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021
District of Columbia November 1, 2021 – January 31, 2022
Enrollments completed by December 15 will have coverage starting January 1, those who enroll between December 16 and January 15 will have coverage starting February 1, and enrollments between January 16 and January 31 will have coverage starting March 1.
Florida November 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021
Georgia November 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021
Hawaii November 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021
Idaho November 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021
Illinois November 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021
Indiana November 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021
Iowa November 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021
Kansas November 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021
Kentucky November 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021
Louisiana November 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021
Maine November 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021
Maryland November 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021
Masschusetts November 1, 2021 – January 23, 2022
Enrollments completed by December 23 will have coverage starting January 1, and those who enroll between December 24 and January 23 will have coverage starting February 1.
Michigan November 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021
Minnesota November 1, 2021 – December 22, 2021
Mississippi November 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021
Missouri November 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021
Montana November 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021
Nebraska November 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021
Nevada November 1, 2021 – January 15, 2022
Enrollments completed by December 31 will have coverage starting January 1, and those who enroll between January 1 and January 15 will have coverage starting February 1.
New Hampshire November 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021
New Jersey November 1, 2021 – January 31, 2022
Enrollments completed by December 31 will have coverage starting January 1, and those who enroll between January 1 and January 31 will have coverage starting February 1.
New Mexico November 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021
New York November 1, 2021 – January 31, 2022
Enrollments completed by December 15 will have coverage starting January 1, those who enroll between December 16 and January 15 will have coverage starting February 1, and enrollments between January 16 and January 31 will have coverage starting March 1.
North Carolina November 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021
North Dakota November 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021
Ohio November 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021
Oklahoma November 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021
Oregon November 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021
Pennsylvania November 1, 2021 – January 15, 2022
Enrollments completed by December 31 will have coverage starting January 1, and those who enroll between January 1 and January 15 will have coverage starting February 1.
Rhode Island  
South Carolina November 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021
South Dakota November 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021
Tennessee November 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021
Texas November 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021
Utah November 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021
Vermont November 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021
Virginia November 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021
Washington State November 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021
West Virginia November 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021
Wisconsin November 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021
Wyoming November 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021

Closing Thoughts

Be sure to check the rules of your individual state, as the Open Enrollment Period varies. While this is a time where health insurance is prominent in the minds of many, we recommend exploring your options earlier in Open Enrollment, rather than waiting. Have questions? Ask one of our licensed agents! We want to be your resource as you navigate health insurance.

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