Affordable Care Act (ACA or “Obamacare”) Open Enrollment begins on November 1, 2017

The Affordable Care Act (ACA or “Obamacare”) created a nationwide Open Enrollment Period (OEP) for individuals and families who need to purchase their own health insurance.

Open enrollment is the one time of year when almost anyone can sign up for a major medical health insurance plan without their application for coverage is declined.

If you haven’t applied for insurance on HealthCare.gov before, here’s what you need to know about the Health Insurance Marketplace (sometimes known as the health insurance “exchange”).

IMPORTANT: 2018 Open Enrollment is shorter than ever

This is a shorter enrollment period than previous years, so it’s important to act quickly. If you don’t act by December 15, you can’t get 2018 coverage unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Plans sold during Open Enrollment start January 1, 2018.

  • Plans sold during Open Enrollment start January 1, 2018.
  • After December 15, you can enroll in 2018 health insurance only if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

2. The Health Insurance Marketplace is for people who don’t have health coverage

If you don’t have health insurance through a job, Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or another source that provides qualifying health coverage, the Marketplace can help you get covered.

  • If you have job-based insurance: You can buy a plan through the Marketplace, but you’ll pay full price unless your employer’s insurance doesn’t meet certain standards. Most job-based plans do meet the standards.
  • If you have Medicare: You can’t switch to Marketplace insurance, supplement your coverage with a Marketplace plan, or buy a Marketplace dental plan. Learn about Medicare and the Marketplace.

3. What you pay for insurance depends on your income

Your savings depend on your expected household income for the year.

Get a quick idea if you’ll save. Based on your income estimate, we’ll tell you if you qualify for:

A health insurance plan with savings based on your income

  • You may qualify for a premium tax credit that lowers your monthly insurance bill, and for extra savings on out-of-pocket costs like deductibles and copayments.
  • The plans are offered by private insurance companies with a range of prices and features.

Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

Medicaid and CHIP provide free or low-cost coverage to millions of people and families with limited income, disabilities, and some other situations.

4. You can apply for coverage 4 ways

Starting November 1, you can apply any way that works for you:

  • Online
  • By phone
  • With in-person help
  • With a paper application

The open enrollment period was changed on April 13, 2017, by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

A final rule aimed at stabilizing the health insurance exchanges created under Obamacare was issued to address some concerns raised by health insurers that should repair problems with enrollment through government-run exchanges.

Prior to 2018, Obamacare open enrollment periods ran from November 1 to January 31, each year.