when is open enrollment for health insurance 2024

The open enrollment period for 2024 health insurance plans starts on November 1, 2023 and ends on January 15, 2024. This is the time when you can shop for and enroll in a new health insurance plan, or make changes to your existing plan.

If you are eligible for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace, you can enroll during open enrollment. You can also enroll through your employer, or through a private health insurance company.

During open enrollment, you may be eligible for a subsidy to help you pay for your health insurance. The amount of the subsidy depends on your income and family size.

If you miss open enrollment, you may still be able to enroll in a health insurance plan, but you may have to pay a higher premium. You may also have fewer choices of plans.

When is open enrollment for 2024?

The open enrollment period for 2024 health insurance plans depends on how you get your coverage. Here are some common scenarios:

If you get health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, the open enrollment period for most states is from November 1, 2023 to January 15, 2024. However, some states have different or longer open enrollment periods. For example, California and the District of Columbia have open enrollment from November 1, 2023 to January 31, 2024¹. You can check the specific dates for your state on Healthcare.gov or your state’s health insurance marketplace website.
If you get health insurance through Medicare, the open enrollment period for 2024 is from October 15, 2023 to December 7, 2023. This is the time when you can switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or vice versa, or change your prescription drug coverage. There is also a more limited open enrollment period from January 1, 2024 to March 31, 2024, when you can only switch from a Medicare Advantage plan to Original Medicare ².
If you get health insurance through your employer, the open enrollment period for 2024 is decided by your employer. It may vary depending on the size and type of your company, but it usually falls between October and December. Your employer will notify you of the exact dates and provide you with information on how to enroll or make changes to your plan.

If you have any questions about open enrollment, you can contact the ACA marketplace or a health insurance agent.

How to enroll or change your plan?

The process of enrolling or changing your health insurance plan depends on how you get your coverage. Here are some common scenarios:

If you get health insurance through the ACA, you can enroll or change your plan online through Healthcare.gov or your state’s health insurance marketplace website. You will need to create an account or log in to your existing account, update your personal and income information, compare and choose a plan that suits your needs and budget, and confirm your enrollment. You may also qualify for subsidies or tax credits that can lower the cost of your premium or out-of-pocket expenses.
If you get health insurance through Medicare, you can enroll or change your plan online through [Medicare.gov], by phone at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), or through a licensed insurance agent. You will need to have your Medicare card and Social Security number handy, and review your current plan and compare it with other options available in your area. You can also use the [Medicare Plan Finder] tool to find and compare plans based on your preferences and needs.
If you get health insurance through your employer, you can enroll or change your plan online through your employer’s benefits portal, by phone, or by mail. You will need to review your current plan and compare it with other options offered by your employer, and consider factors such as network size, coverage level, deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and premiums. You may also be able to enroll in additional benefits, such as dental and vision plans, flexible spending accounts (FSAs), health savings accounts (HSAs), or wellness programs.

MetLife Health Benefits

MetLife offers a variety of health benefits, including:

Accident insurance
Critical illness insurance
Hospital indemnity insurance
Cancer insurance

These benefits can help you and your family financially if you experience an accident or serious illness.

MetLife also offers a benefits package that includes medical, accident, and life insurance for employees. This can help employers attract and retain top talent.

If you are interested in learning more about MetLife health benefits, you can contact a MetLife representative.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind about open enrollment:

If you have a qualifying life event, such as getting married, having a baby, or losing your job, you may be able to enroll in a health insurance plan outside of open enrollment.
You can use the government’s Health Insurance Marketplace website to compare health insurance plans and enroll in a plan.
There are many resources available to help you choose the right health insurance plan for you. You can talk to a health insurance agent, or you can use the government’s Health Insurance Marketplace website.

What if you miss the open enrollment period?

If you miss the open enrollment period for 2024 health insurance plans, you may not be able to enroll or change your plan until the next open enrollment period, unless you qualify for a special enrollment period (SEP). A SEP is a time outside of the open enrollment period when you can enroll or change your plan due to certain life events or changes in circumstances that affect your eligibility for coverage. Some examples of qualifying events are:

Losing other health coverage due to job loss, divorce, death of a spouse, expiration of COBRA benefits, etc.
Moving to a new state or zip code that changes your plan options
Getting married or divorced
Having a baby or adopting a child
Becoming a U.S. citizen or gaining lawful presence
Experiencing a change in income that affects your eligibility for subsidies or tax credits

If you experience any of these events, you have 60 days from the date of the event to enroll or change your plan through the ACA or Medicare. If you get health insurance through your employer, you may have a different time frame, depending on your company’s policies. You will need to provide proof of the qualifying event and update your information accordingly.

Open enrollment is the time when you can enroll in a health insurance plan or make changes to your current plan for the next year. The open enrollment period for 2024 health insurance plans varies depending on how you get your coverage, but it usually falls between October and January. To enroll or change your plan, you will need to review your current plan and compare it with other options available in your area, and consider factors such as cost, coverage, network, and benefits. If you miss the open enrollment period, you may not be able to enroll or change your plan until the next open enrollment period, unless you qualify for a special enrollment period due to certain life events or changes in circumstances.