Each year during the Individual Health Insurance Marketplace sign-up period, also known as Open Enrollment, you have the opportunity to buy a new or different health insurance plan for the next calendar year. For health coverage starting in 2016, there are important dates you should know about.
Why? Because if you do nothing or miss the deadlines:
- You may have to pay a penalty for not having a health insurance plan.
- Your insurance company could automatically enroll you in a different health insurance plan, or re-enroll you in your 2015 plan. Health insurance plans can change each year, so it’s very important that you review if your doctors are included, what services are covered and the costs to you.
This year's Open Enrollment period for individual health insurance starts November 1 and lasts until January 31, 2016. But you only have until December 15 to pick a plan and update your financial information if you want coverage to begin January 1, 2016. If you sign up after December 15, you’ll need to check your plan to see when your coverage starts.
Key Dates to Remember:
November 1, 2015 This is the first day you can buy an individual health insurance plan on the Individual Health Insurance Marketplace. Try to research and compare plans before this date. Pay special attention to cost (what fits your budget), which of your doctors are in each health insurance plan, and what specific healthcare services are covered by each insurance plan.
December 15, 2015 If you plan to enroll in or change individual health insurance plans, you must do this by December 15 for new coverage to start on January 1, 2016.
December 31, 2015 Coverage ends for individual 2015 plans (those bought on last year’s Individual Health Insurance Marketplace).
January 1, 2016 Coverage begins for people who signed up for a 2016 health insurance plan through the Individual Health Insurance Marketplace on or before December 15, 2015.
January 15, 2016 Final day to sign up for or change health insurance plans for coverage to start February 1, 2016.
January 31, 2016 Open Enrollment ends. Health insurance plan enrollments or changes between January 16 and January 31, 2016 take effect March 1, 2016.
Need more information? We can help you find the right plan.
You can also reach us at: 877-251-0256.
