WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT OPEN-ENROLLMENT 2018

It has been a wild year for the health insurance market, and there is still considerable uncertainty going forward. For now, however, Open Enrollment is still on track to begin on November 1^st, 2017 and will end on January 31^st, 2018. Open Enrollment is the set period when people can either start a new plan, cancel coverage from their existing health insurance plan, or make changes to their plan without any tax penalty.

For Open Enrollment Timing is Important

The Open Enrollment period this year is shorter than in previous years past.  If you are looking to update your health insurance coverage don’t waste any time. If you find yourself caught outside the enrollment period, you could face a hefty tax penalty.  This is assessed  for not being insured after six months and signing up for a new health insurance plan is much more challenging and requires a significant life event.

While the entire Open Enrollment stretches from November to January, there are specific deadlines to keep in mind.

Important Dates

If you are an individual signing up for a health plan, your window of opportunity is from November 1^st to December 15^th, 2017. This enrollment window is much shorter than the last open enrollment period.  You want to be sure you don’t miss it.

If applying for Medicare, your window to enroll is from October 15^th through December 7^th, 2017. There are no restrictions for those signing up for Medicaid; you can sign up at any time.

For more information on Open Enrollment, visit healthcare.gov and learn more about the plans available in your state and what you need for enrollment.