Open ENROLLMENT PERIOD
As of November 1st, the enrollment for 2023 health plans through Marketplace (Obamacare) has begun in all 50 states. For most states the time for enrollment will continue until December 15th and the plan would be effective beginning the first of January, 2024. This is called the open enrollment period. During this period, people are free to enroll or make changes to their health coverage for the next year (2024). Once this period is over, people can no longer make changes to their health coverage.
Special enrollment period
There is a special enrollment period which extends before and after the open enrollment period that allows people to continue making changes but they must meet certain qualifying life events (QLEs).
For information on QLEs please visit:
https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/qualifying-life-event/
State exchanges
There are some states that have established their own Marketplace or exchange, therefore people would have to register for health coverage through the state’s exchange and not through the federal Marketplace. The open enrollment dates can also vary. The states continue to open on November 1st, however the closing date could vary and extend as late as January 31st, 2024. It is important to remember that if you do NOT enroll by December 15th, the plan will not be effective until February 1st. Otherwise it would be effective from January 1st.
State Based Marketplaces: California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.
Below is a chart that lists the last day to enroll for each State-Based Exchange:
