The COVID SEP ended in most states. The ARP is still making premiums more affordable.

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Although August 15 marked the end of a one-time COVID-related special enrollment period (SEP) for marketplace health insurance in most states, the enhanced subsidies that enticed millions of consumers are still available for many individual-market buyers (as noted below, the SEP is ongoing in some states).

The American Rescue Plan’s enhancements to the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance subsidies will continue long after the end of the COVID SEP. That means that when you do have an opportunity to buy coverage again – either through open enrollment or due to a personal qualifying life event – you’ll likely find individual health insurance much less expensive than you might have expected.

The ARP’s affordability provisions are still helping with premiums

As we’ve noted over the past few months, the American Rescue Plan included numerous provisions that make ACA-compliant plans more affordable than ever. The additional health insurance subsidy enhancements delivered by the ARP include:

All of those benefits continue to be available. The additional subsidies based on unemployment compensation continue through the end of 2021, while the other subsidy enhancements will be available through the end of 2022 (and possibly longer, if Congress extends them).

How popular are the ARP’s subsidy enhancements?

HHS reported last week that more than 2.5 million people had already enrolled in coverage during the COVID-related special enrollment period, and that another 2.6 million existing marketplace enrollees had activated their ARP subsidies.

Among all of the new enrollees, average after-subsidy premiums were just $85/month, as opposed to $117/month before the ARP’s subsidies became available. And across all of the new and renewing enrollees, about 35% had obtained coverage with after-subsidy premiums of less than $10/month.

That illustrates how substantial premium subsidies have become under the ARP. And again, nothing has changed about those subsidies: the special enrollment window has ended in most states, but the subsidies are still available if you’re eligible to enroll for the remainder of 2021 — and again during open enrollment for 2022, which starts November 1.

So if you’re in a state where enrollment is still open, or if you’re eligible for an individual special enrollment period in any state, it’s certainly in your best interest to see what plan options are available to you.

Enrolling as soon as you’re eligible will mean that you’re able to start taking advantage of the ARP’s subsidies right away, rather than having to wait for open enrollment and coverage that starts in 2022.

States where enrollment continues

Although the COVID SEP ended on August 15 in the states that use HealthCare.gov – and some of the states that run their own exchanges – enrollment is still actually ongoing in several states:

Enrollment if you have a qualifying life event

Not in one of those states? Special enrollment periods are available to individuals who experience a wide range of “life changes.” The most common trigger for a personal SEP is a loss of other coverage — usually job-based coverage.

(Note that there’s usually only a 60-day window to enroll in a new plan after losing other coverage. But HealthCare.gov is making an exception for people who lost their coverage as long ago as January 2020, if they missed their enrollment deadline because they were “impacted by the COVID-19 emergency.” People who need to utilize this flexibility have to call the marketplace directly to qualify for a special enrollment period on a case-by-case basis.)

In addition to a loss of coverage, there are also other situations in which you’ll qualify for a SEP. They include events such as the birth or adoption of a child, marriage (as long as at least one spouse already had minimum essential coverage), or even your grandmothered or grandfathered plan coming up for renewal.

More opportunities to enroll in ACA-compliant coverage

In addition to the states with ongoing COVID-related enrollment periods and the individual SEPs triggered by qualifying life events, there are other circumstances under which you might still be eligible to enroll in affordable health coverage:

Mark your calendar for 2022 open enrollment

If you don’t have an enrollment period now, be sure to mark your calendar for the start of open enrollment on November 1. That’s when you’ll be able to sign up for health coverage that will take effect in January, with coverage for essential health benefits and pre-existing conditions. During open enrollment, your medical history won’t matter, and neither will your coverage history.

And if you’re already enrolled in an ACA-compliant plan – or soon will be – you’ll still want to pay attention to open enrollment this fall. There are new insurers joining the marketplaces in many areas, which might have an unexpected effect on your premium subsidy. And even if you’re happy with the plan you have now, you might find that a different plan works better for the coming year.

Fortunately, the ARP’s subsidy enhancements will continue to be available for 2022. So if you’re eligible for subsidies – and most people are – your coverage for next year is likely to be quite affordable.

Louise Norris is an individual health insurance broker who has been writing about health insurance and health reform since 2006. She has written dozens of opinions and educational pieces about the Affordable Care Act for healthinsurance.org. Her state health exchange updates are regularly cited by media who cover health reform and by other health insurance experts.

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Why you should care about the August 15 special enrollment deadline

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This spring and summer, more than 2 million Americans have already flocked to the health insurance marketplaces in their states, enticed by larger health insurance subsidies during a one-time special enrollment period (SEP). This SEP was created to address the COVID-19 pandemic and allow people to take advantage of the extra subsidies created by the American Rescue Plan (ARP).

But this limited enrollment opportunity is about to end in most states.

There are a few state-run exchanges where the COVID-related SEP has already ended, and a few others where it extends past August 15. But in most of the country, August 15 is the last day to sign up for 2021 coverage without needing to show proof of a qualifying life event.

How many people bought individual health insurance during the SEP?

HHS reported that 2.1 million people had already enrolled in coverage under this SEP by the end of June. This is two to three times higher than typical enrollment volume during that time of year (when a qualifying event would normally be necessary).

And enrollment likely increased even more in July, when the additional subsidies were made available for people who had received unemployment compensation in 2021.

What happens when the SEP ends on August 15?

Once the COVID/American Rescue Plan special enrollment period ends in your state, regular individual-market enrollment rules will apply. This means that you’ll need a qualifying event in order to enroll in coverage with a 2021 effective date.

The next open enrollment opportunity will start nationwide on November 1, but that enrollment period will be for coverage that takes effect January 1, 2022.

Why review your coverage before the SEP deadline?

Even if you’re already enrolled in a health plan through the marketplace in your state and you’re happy with your coverage, you should take a few minutes to double check everything before the SEP ends.

You can update your account to make sure that you’re receiving the enhanced subsidy amount available under the ARP. And if you need to switch plans to best take advantage of that subsidy, now’s your chance to do so.

This could be the case, for example, if you’re newly eligible for cost-sharing reductions because you’ve received unemployment benefits this year. (You need to be enrolled in a Silver plan to receive that benefit.)

It could also be the case if you’re currently enrolled in a plan that costs less than your new subsidy amount. You might find that you can upgrade your coverage and still have minimal premiums each month.

One thing to note: Before you make a plan change, make sure you understand whether deductible and out-of-pocket amounts will transfer to the new plan. They probably will, as long as you stick with the same insurer.

If you’re enrolled through HealthCare.gov and you don’t update your account to activate the new subsidies, you should still see your subsidy amounts updated as of September. HHS will be updating accounts in August to align the ARP’s subsidy structure with the income amounts that enrollees had previously projected for 2021.

This will be helpful in terms of giving people more affordable coverage for the final few months of the year, as opposed to having to wait until tax season to claim the extra subsidy. But there will be no opportunity to change your 2021 coverage at that point, unless you have a qualifying event.

Why should you enroll now if you haven’t already?

Millions of Americans are already enrolled in health coverage through the exchanges. But there are still millions more who are uninsured or enrolled in non-ACA-compliant coverage such as short-term health plans or health care sharing ministry plans.

If that’s you or someone you know, the current enrollment period is an excellent opportunity to make the switch to comprehensive major medical health insurance. And chances are, it’ll be less expensive than you’re expecting, especially if it’s been a while since you checked your coverage options.

There are several reasons for this:

Will my premiums be higher if I wait until November?

The current SEP is for 2021 coverage, whereas the open enrollment period that starts in November will be for 2022 coverage. If you buy health coverage now, you’ll be locking in your premiums for the rest of this year.

In January 2022, your premium is likely to change, though we don’t yet have a clear picture of exactly how premiums will be changing. Across the states where rate filings have been made public, we’re seeing insurers proposing mostly single-digit rate increases, although there have also been some decreases and a handful of larger increases proposed.

But since most marketplace enrollees receive premium subsidies, changes in benchmark premium prices (and the related changes in subsidy amounts) will play a significant role in how much your net premiums change for 2022.

Should I enroll before the deadline if I’m uninsured?

If you’re uninsured, there’s no benefit to skipping coverage now and waiting for the start of open enrollment. That will just guarantee that you won’t have coverage in place until January, and your 2022 premium will be the same either way.

If a sudden and serious health condition were to arise while you’re uninsured, you would have no way to obtain coverage that starts before January 2022 unless you experience a qualifying event.

When will my coverage start if I enroll during the SEP?

As is always the case, your coverage won’t take effect immediately. If you enroll during the current SEP in most states, your plan will take effect the first of the following month.

How long will my coverage last if I enroll by the SEP deadline?

ACA-compliant individual/family health plans renew each year on January 1. This is true regardless of when you sign up for the plan. So if you’re enrolling during the current SEP, the specifics of your health plan – including the monthly premium – will remain the same through the end of December. (Note that your after-subsidy monthly premium could change if your income changes later in the year.)

At that point, your plan will likely be available for renewal for 2022, but the premiums and the coverage details might change. So for example, the deductible and out-of-pocket limit might change, and your premium will almost certainly change – due to both the change in your own plan’s premium, as well as changes to your subsidy amount caused by fluctuations in the benchmark premium amount in your area.

If I enroll now, do I need to enroll again in November?

In most cases, coverage will auto-renew if you don’t log back into your account during the fall open enrollment to manually pick your coverage for 2022. But for a variety of reasons, auto-renewal is not in your best interest.

Instead, you should plan to spend at least a few minutes this fall comparing your options for 2022. Even though the open enrollment window is just around the corner (it starts November 1) the options for 2022 might be very different from what you’re seeing right now for the rest of 2021. Insurers are joining the marketplaces in many states, and existing insurers are expanding their coverage areas.

That can affect plan availability as well as subsidy amounts, so you’ll want to plan to spend some time reconsidering your options for 2022.

Is there any way to enroll in 2021 coverage after August 15?

In California, DC, New Jersey, New York, and Vermont, the COVID-related special enrollment period is already scheduled to extend past August 15. (In Vermont, this applies to uninsured residents. Current enrollees who wish to switch plans must do so by August 15.) But even in those states, it’s in your best interest to enroll sooner rather than later, in order to take advantage of the enhanced subsidies that are available under the American Rescue Plan.

After August 15, in most states, you’ll need a qualifying event to be able to sign up for coverage that starts prior to January 2022. You’ll have access to open enrollment this fall, but that coverage won’t take effect until January, even if you enroll right away on November 1.

What do I need to do if I’m getting a COBRA subsidy?

The American Rescue Plan’s COBRA subsidy continues through the end of September. Assuming your COBRA or state continuation coverage is eligible to continue past that date, you’ll have the option to keep it by paying the full premiums yourself as of October, or switch to a self-purchased individual/family plan instead.

If you want to switch to a self-purchased plan, you can enroll in a plan in the marketplace in September and have your new coverage take effect seamlessly on October 1. Although the COVID-related special enrollment period will have ended by that point, you’ll be eligible for a special enrollment period triggered by the termination of the COBRA subsidy.

If you’re choosing to switch to a new plan when the COBRA subsidy ends, you’ll want to pay close attention to details regarding any deductible and out-of-pocket costs you’ve accumulated this year. As a general rule, you should assume that those will reset to $0 when you switch to an individual market plan. But it’s possible that your insurer might allow you to transfer them if you switch to an individual plan offered by the same insurer that provides your group coverage.

Louise Norris is an individual health insurance broker who has been writing about health insurance and health reform since 2006. She has written dozens of opinions and educational pieces about the Affordable Care Act for healthinsurance.org. Her state health exchange updates are regularly cited by media who cover health reform and by other health insurance experts.

 

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Twenty-something, out of work, and losing sleep worrying about health insurance

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It’s been a widely held conclusion in the health insurance industry and among health policy types that one of our biggest hurdles lies with the challenge of getting coverage for “young invincibles” – Americans old enough to vote but under 30. That label itself is tied to a widely held perception that – because of their youth – “twenty-somethings” believe they’re healthy enough that they simply won’t need all of the bells and whistles of comprehensive health insurance (any time soon, at least).

As an agent and an avid observer of health insurance trends, I know it’s not that simple: young adults, in many cases, are keenly aware of their need for comprehensive coverage. But – despite various federal and state efforts to make coverage more affordable and accessible (including provisions of the American Rescue Plan) – there are definitely barriers making it difficult for young adults to enter the individual health insurance market.

Last week, I spoke with Carolyn Kettig, a young woman who’s determined to get coverage but facing barriers that many young Americans face. Carolyn Kettig is a professional actor in New York, and has thus far maintained health coverage under her mother’s policy. But that will end this summer, when Carolyn turns 26. She shares her story with me here, and I’ve added my own commentary wherever it might help readers in similar situations understand their coverage options.

Before we begin, it’s worth noting that because Carolyn lives in New York, she has access to a Basic Health Program. New York and Minnesota are the only states that offer these programs, and they’re an excellent coverage option for people who are eligible to enroll. But if you’re not in New York or Minnesota, you’ve still got plenty of options.

That’s particularly true now that the American Rescue Plan has been enacted, making premium subsidies larger and more widely available. For many young people, the American Rescue Plan makes robust coverage much more affordable than it used to be. (Previously, it was common for young people to feel like their only truly affordable health coverage option was a plan with a deductible that may have felt impossibly high).

Louise: What’s your current insurance situation and how is it changing this year? What are your options for coverage?

Carolyn: I’m lucky enough to currently be covered by my mother’s health insurance. She has a very generous insurance plan and I’ve been privileged to, thus far, be fully covered. Unfortunately, because I’m turning 26, I’ll be losing coverage this spring.

As a professional actor, my early twenties were filled with countless side jobs that supported me as I sought acting work in New York City. None of these jobs ever came with healthcare benefits, which at the time was okay as I was covered by my mother’s plan. Three years ago, when I landed my first big theater job, I had the opportunity to join the actor’s union, which among many other wonderful things, provides working actors with comprehensive, affordable health insurance.

The only catch, and it’s a fairly large one, is that an actor must work a certain number of weeks in order to qualify. Even without a pandemic, finding steady work in the theater is difficult. Factor in a pandemic that shutters theaters for over a year and causes the union to hemorrhage money … needless to say, healthcare coverage in my industry has become a near impossibility.

I’m hopeful that live entertainment will return in a vaccinated world, but until then, I’m doing my best to make enough money to pay my bills. I’m grateful to be employed part-time as a program director for a teen program. My job has kept me afloat during this devastating time, but, unfortunately, does not come with healthcare benefits. I make very little money and live paycheck to paycheck, which leaves me relatively few options when it comes to insurance. I will most likely go with New York State’s Essential Plan, which is the best option for low-income people who make too much money to qualify for Medicaid.

Louise: The Essential Plan is New York’s Basic Health Program (BHP), which is available to people earning up to 200% of the poverty level. (For a single person in 2021, that amounts to $25,760.) The Affordable Care Act allowed for the creation of BHPs, but New York and Minnesota are the only states that have opted to establish them.

The Essential Plan provides robust health coverage with no monthly premium, and it has much lower cost-sharing than we typically see in the individual/family health insurance market. The Essential Plan is also being enhanced as of June 2021. Previously, some enrollees had to pay $20/month, and there was an extra premium for dental and vision coverage; dental and vision are now included at no cost.

Louise: How much is the need for coverage weighing on you and other people your age? 

Carolyn: I’ve lost sleep over this! It weighs on me heavily. Having grown up in New York, I have a long history with some of my doctors, most of whom will not accept my new insurance plan. This means that I will either be forced to find new doctors or pay hundreds of dollars out of pocket for routine check-ups.

I’m also aware that, even with insurance coverage, an unexpected hospital stay could cost me thousands of dollars. It makes me enraged to know that, in an emergency situation, I would avoid going to the hospital because of the cost.

Louise: The Essential Plan provides much more robust coverage than people may be used to seeing elsewhere. There is no deductible, emergency room visits cost $75, and inpatient hospital stays are only $150 per admission – and these fees are waived altogether for enrollees with income up to 150% of the poverty level, or a little more than $19,000 for a single person. This is better coverage than most people have even with higher-end employer-sponsored plans.

Carolyn: I know that I’m not alone in this. Especially since my generation is now living through a global health crisis, I think my peers are more aware than ever before of how broken our healthcare system really is. Moreover, as a white, cisgendered woman from a middle-class background, I’m cognizant of the privilege my identities afford me and deeply disturbed by the ways in which our healthcare system disregards and harms BIPOC, low-income families, LGBTQIA+ youth, and undocumented workers (many of whom are essential workers and yet have little access to healthcare coverage) among many others. Alongside the climate crisis and the fight for racial equality, I believe that healthcare reform will dominate the American political landscape for the next few decades.

Louise: I agree that our healthcare system is in need of extensive reform. The American Rescue Plan, enacted just last month, is the first major change we’ve seen since the Affordable Care Act was signed into law 11 years ago. It includes some substantial improvements designed to make health coverage more affordable and accessible.

But these improvements are temporary unless Congress takes additional action to make them permanent. And there are other issues, such as the ACA’s family glitch, and the Medicaid coverage gap that exists in the dozen states that have refused to expand Medicaid, that haven’t yet been fixed. Fortunately, lawmakers in Congress are continuing to push forward on these issues, and voters can reach out to their elected officials to express their opinions.

Louise: What do you see as challenges in this situation?

Carolyn: I’ve mentioned many challenges already, but I think chief among them is simply how confusing and difficult it is to make informed choices. Reading about insurance options requires learning an entirely new language and navigating nearly impenetrable websites.

Louise: For folks who are confused by the terminology and concepts that go along with health insurance, our glossary is a great resource. We’ve incorporated plenty of details, since that’s where the nuances always are. And we’ve focused on explaining things using plain language that’s easy to understand.

Help from the American Rescue Plan

Louise: Are you aware of the changes that the American Rescue Plan has made? Do you think it will make it easier for you to access coverage?

Carolyn: I’ve read a bit about the changes made by the American Rescue Plan and am thrilled that this administration is attempting to expand access to healthcare (even though I’d love to see more substantial reform). I don’t think that I will be impacted directly by the bill because I already live in a state that offers an affordable plan for people in my income bracket.

Louise: If you lived in another state, the American Rescue Plan would make your coverage more affordable. But you’re correct: Assuming your 2021 income doesn’t exceed 200% of the poverty level (about $25,760), you’ll be eligible for either The Essential Plan or Medicaid in New York, both of which are already robust coverage with no monthly premiums.

But for others in a similar situation who live elsewhere, the American Rescue Plan implements a variety of improvements that make it easier for young people to transition to their own coverage. Among other provisions, the American Rescue Plan:

Louise: What do you expect to happen with your coverage this summer? Do you have a good idea of the plan you’ll be on after you transition away from your mom’s coverage, or is it still up in the air?

Carolyn: Fortunately, through The Actors Fund, I have access to a professional who will guide me through the process of finding a plan, although I’m fairly certain I will end up on the Essential Plan.

I’ve been told to begin the process a couple months before I lose coverage, so that’s coming up very soon! I also have many friends who are in a similar situation or have already gone through the process, so I expect I’ll be texting them a whole lot. Even though I’m anxious about navigating the system on my own for the first time, I feel well supported as I approach this transition.

Louise: As you’re going through this insurance transition, what do you feel are the most important things for other people your age to keep in mind?

Carolyn: I think it’s important to do your research, seek out trusted professionals or peers to guide you, and ask a lot of questions. The system is designed to be confusing and ultimately benefit insurance companies, so I believe the more questions you ask, the better positioned you’ll be to advocate for yourself. Get acquainted with the vocabulary and make sure you know the basic terms (i.e. premium, deductible, out of pocket maximum, in-network, enrollment period). And if you’re uninsured for a period of time, know that you can find sliding scale clinics, sliding scale hospital services, and assistance paying for prescription drugs. Your health, both physical and mental, is of utmost importance!

Louise: The advice to seek out assistance and ask lots of questions is spot-on. There are no silly questions, and any question you might have about health insurance is certainly shared by plenty of other people.

Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, there has never been a better time to be transitioning to your own health insurance policy. And even if you’re not experiencing a qualifying event (such as aging off of a parent’s health insurance policy), there’s a COVID-related enrollment window that runs through August 15 in most states, giving people an opportunity to enroll and take advantage of the newly enhanced premium subsidies.

And in every community, there are navigators, enrollment counselors, and health insurance brokers who can help you pick a plan and answer any questions you might have. We also have an extensive collection of FAQs, including several that are specific to young adults.

Louise Norris is an individual health insurance broker who has been writing about health insurance and health reform since 2006. She has written dozens of opinions and educational pieces about the Affordable Care Act for healthinsurance.org. Her state health exchange updates are regularly cited by media who cover health reform and by other health insurance experts.

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What are the deadlines for Obamacare’s open enrollment period?

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Key takeaways

Q. What is the deadline to enroll in health insurance coverage in the individual market?

open enrollment 2021

Our 2021 Open Enrollment Guide: Everything you need to know to enroll in an affordable individual-market health plan.

A.  In most states, open enrollment for 2021 health plans ended on December 15, 2020. HealthCare.gov, which is the exchange platform that’s used by the majority of the states, tends to follow this schedule fairly closely, while the states that run their own exchange platforms generally offer slightly longer enrollment windows.

HealthCare.gov is being used in 36 states for enrollment in 2021 health plans (it was 38 states as of 2020, but Pennsylvania and New Jersey have both transitioned to their own enrollment platforms as of the fall of 2020; both have also opted to extend their open enrollment windows).

As described below, California, Colorado, and DC have opted to permanently extend their open enrollment periods. And most of the other fully state-run exchanges have opted to extend the open enrollment period for 2021 coverage, meaning it will continue past December 15.

Outside of open enrollment, plan changes and new enrollments are only possible for people who experience a qualifying event.

Native Americans and Alaska Natives can enroll year-round in plans offered in the exchange. Applicants who are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP can also enroll year-round.

States where open enrollment ended on December 15, 2020

In the following states, open enrollment ended on December 15 (although due to high call volume on December 15, HealthCare.gov had some callers leave their contact information; the exchange will call these people back over the next few days to complete their enrollment in 2021 coverage):

California, Colorado, and DC: Open enrollment has been permanently extended

California: November 1 – January 31. California enacted legislation in 2017 and again in 2019 that permanently establishes different enrollment dates within the state, both on and off-exchange. Open enrollment for 2021 health plans began November 1, 2020 and will continue through January 31, 2020. California’s enrollment schedule has varied in previous years, but this three-month window, from the beginning of November through the end of January, will be the permanent enrollment window going forward.

Colorado: November 1 – January 15. Colorado’s Division of Insurance has also permanently extended open enrollment. The state finalized regulations in late 2018 that call for an annual special enrollment period, running from December 16 to January 15, that is added to the end of open enrollment each year. So open enrollment in Colorado will effectively last 2.5 months for all future enrollment periods (November 1 to January 15). Plans selected between December 16 and January 15 must take effect no later than February 1 (for 2021 coverage, the exchange is giving people until December 18 to enroll, although they have to call the customer service center to request a January 1 effective date if they’re enrolling between December 16 and 18).

DC: November 1 – January 31. DC’s exchange board voted unanimously to permanently implement an open enrollment window that runs from November 1 to January 31.

Compare plans and rates in your ZIP code



Enrollment for 2021 health plans still open in ten states and DC

In addition to the three permanent extensions described above, open enrollment for 2021 health plans has also been extended in ten of the other 12 fully state-run exchanges. The extended deadline has already passed in Minnesota and Idaho, but open enrollment is still ongoing as of early January in ten states and DC, with the following enrollment deadlines:

The deadline for a January 1 effective date has passed in all of those states, so enrollments are currently (as of early January) being processed for a February 1 effective date.

Although open enrollment ended on December 15 in Maryland, the state announced in early January that it was opening a new COVID-related special enrollment period that will continue through March 15, 2021. Uninsured Maryland residents can use this window as an opportunity to enroll in coverage through Maryland’s exchange, but people who already have coverage cannot make plan changes during this window.

Minnesota‘s exchange and Idaho‘s exchange also extended open enrollment, but they ended December 22 and December 31, respectively. Idaho announced its extension on December 18 (three days after the original deadline had passed; this is the first time Idaho’s exchange has ever added a significant extension to open enrollment). Connecticut stuck with a December 15 deadline right up until the end of open enrollment, and then announced an additional month starting on December 16.

The only other fully state-run exchanges are in Vermont and Maryland, so they’re the only other states that had the option to extend open enrollment beyond the deadline that HealthCare.gov imposes. But both of them opted to end open enrollment on December 15. As noted above, however, Maryland is allowing uninsured residents a COVID-related special enrollment period that continues through March 15, 2021.

State-run exchanges have some flexibility on open enrollment schedule

The 2017 market stabilization rule noted that the November 1-December 15 open enrollment period would apply in every state in the fall of 2017. However, they also noted that some state-based exchanges — there are 13 of them as of 2020, and potentially 16 as of 2021 — might experience logistical difficulties in getting their systems ready for the new schedule on a fairly tight timeframe.

As such, the market stabilization rule clarified that state-based exchanges could use their own flexibility to “supplement the open enrollment period with a special enrollment period, as a transitional measure, to account for those operational difficulties.” Since then, the majority of the state-based exchanges have opted to extend open enrollment for most years.

For 2020 enrollments, Maryland, Vermont, and Nevada opted to keep the December 15 end date (and Idaho came very close to it; their reason for a one-day extension was that their call center isn’t open on Sundays, and the 15th fell on a Sunday. In general, Idaho residents should expect that the enrollment window will not be extended in the future, given how well they’ve adhered to that deadline for the last few years).

As we can see from the decisions in DC, California, and Colorado (to permanently extend open enrollment), and in Pennsylvania and Nevada (to extend open enrollment for 2021 coverage), states with their own enrollment platforms still have flexibility going forward. HHS has defined open enrollment as the window from November 1 to December 15, and that applies in every state. But state-run exchanges have the option to offer special enrollment periods before or after that window, in order to effectively extend open enrollment.

In addition to Pennsylvania, New Jersey is expected to also have state-run exchange platform by the fall of 2020; New Mexico plans to join them in the fall of 2021, and Maine might do so as well by the fall of 2021. Oregon may join them in the future as well. Fully state-run exchanges are the only ones with the ability to extend open enrollment on their own (in the other states, the decision has to come from CMS, since the extension has to be issued via HealthCare.gov), and most of them have been choosing to do so each year.

Outside of the open enrollment window, enrollment is only available with a qualifying event

After open enrollment ends, people can only purchase coverage if they have a special enrollment period triggered by a qualifying event such as:

Regardless of whether you purchase insurance through the exchange or off-exchange, the annual open enrollment window applies, and special enrollment periods are necessary in order to enroll at any other time of the year.

In 2016, HHS tightened up the rules regarding eligibility for special enrollment periods, and they further tightened the rules in 2017, as part of the market stabilization rule. As a result, the rules are being followed much more closely than they were in previous years, and in most states, anyone enrolling during a special enrollment period is required to provide proof of the qualifying event that they experienced.

Louise Norris is an individual health insurance broker who has been writing about health insurance and health reform since 2006. She has written dozens of opinions and educational pieces about the Affordable Care Act for healthinsurance.org. Her state health exchange updates are regularly cited by media who cover health reform and by other health insurance experts.

The post What are the deadlines for Obamacare’s open enrollment period? appeared first on healthinsurance.org.

 

Maddox Insurance Agency

Insurance Agency in Memphis, Tennessee

Main Office

2151 Courtland Place | Memphis, TN 38104

Licensed in Tennessee, Mississippi & Arkansas

Contact

Phone: (901) 335-0154
Fax: (901) 255-9141

Lee.Maddox@maddoxinsured.com

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