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When Can I Sign Up for Health Insurance?

In many states, you can sign up for health insurance during the national open enrollment period. The national open enrollment period normally runs from November 1st through December 15th for health insurance starting the following year on January 1st.

Nevertheless, some states have permanently prolonged open enrollment.

These states permanently extended their open enrollment period to November 1st, 2019 through January 31st, 2020, for health insurance coverage starting in 2020:

• California
• Washington D.C.

Lawmakers in Colorado have permanently extended open enrollment, but it has since ended for the 2020 coverage year.

The open enrollment period for New York was extended for the 2020 coverage year and ran from November 1st, 2019, through January 31st, 2020.

Other states opted to extend their open enrollment periods for the 2020 coverage year included Massachusetts, Idaho, Minnesota, Washington, and Rhode Island.

It’s vital to keep in mind that states with their health insurance exchanges have the flexibility to extended open enrollment every year.

Can I Still Sign Up for Health Insurance In 2020?

You were allowed to sign up for health insurance in 2020 up to January 31st 2020, if you live in California, Washington D.C., or New York.
Open enrollment is done in all other states for the 2020 coverage year.

Nevertheless, if you experience a qualifying life event – like giving birth, losing your coverage through work, or moving outside your coverage area – you can enroll in health insurance during a special enrollment period. Special enrollment periods usually last 60-days and allow you to enroll outside of open enrollment for health insurance in 2020 if you qualify.

If you are not eligible for a special enrollment period and make under 138% of the federal poverty line (FPL), you will be eligible for Medicaid. If you make over 138% of the FPL, you are unlikely to qualify for Medicaid or other government health insurance plans unless you are pregnant, a child, or otherwise medically needy. Unlike primary medical health insurance, there is no open enrollment date for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

What Are My Choices if Open Enrollment is Over in My State?

You can apply for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliant plan if you experience a qualifying life event after the closure of open enrollment in your state. Qualifying life events – like moving outside of your coverage area, having a baby, or losing coverage through work – typically trigger special enrollment periods. Special enrollment timelines are 60-day periods where you can enroll in ACA-compliant health insurance.

In case you do not qualify for a special enrollment period, you will not be able to enroll in ACA-compliant health insurance until the following special enrollment period.

In most states, you can enroll in short-term health insurance, which may assist you with coverage in worst-case-scenario circumstances if you are experiencing a lapse in coverage. Nevertheless, short-term health insurance is not ACA-compliant and will not keep you from paying a tax penalty for no health insurance in 2020.

Can I Purchase My Own Health Insurance?

While most individuals get their insurance from their employer, you can buy health insurance on your own or your family. eHealth can assist you to find a plan that satisfies both your medical coverage and budgetary requirements.

Resources and References:

• Affordable Care Act
• Non-ACA Compliant Health Plans
• Children’s Health Insurance Program