What is Open Enrollment?

Health insurance can be confusing for many Americans, especially if you don’t know when you can enroll in coverage. Whether you’re looking to switch policies, enroll for the first time, or renew your current individual health plan, the annual Open Enrollment Period is the set time to compare your options and choose your coverage for the upcoming year.

Open Enrollment applies whether you’re shopping on the federal Marketplace, state-based exchanges, or for off-exchange plans directly from insurance carriers, so it’s crucial to prepare in advance to avoid missing the deadline. Plus, if your employer is offering you an individual coverage health reimbursement arrangement (ICHRA), you can use the Open Enrollment window to secure qualifying coverage so you can take advantage of your benefit.

In this blog post, you’ll learn:

• When Open Enrollment is and what you can do during the enrollment period.
• What happens if you miss the enrollment deadline and how you may qualify for a special enrollment period (SEP).
• How Open Enrollment interacts with an ICHRA and how to choose a qualifying individual health plan.

What is Open Enrollment for individual health insurance?

Open Enrollment is the annual period when you can enroll in or change your existing individual health insurance plan.

After the Affordable Care Act (ACA) established public exchanges, such as the Health Insurance Marketplace and state-run marketplaces, the federal government created the annual Open Enrollment Period so individuals and families could have a designated time to shop for a new plan, compare their current coverage with other options, or renew their existing policies.

Open Enrollment for the individual market only applies if you’re shopping for ACA-compliant individual health insurance on a public or private exchange. However, if you buy non-ACA-compliant coverage — like a short-term or indemnity plan — from an insurance agent, broker, or directly from an insurer, you can enroll in or change your plan at any time during the year. But keep in mind that only qualified ACA-compliant individual plans work with an ICHRA.

When is Open Enrollment?

In most states, Open Enrollment currently runs from November 1 through January 15.¹ However, the enrollment window can vary by state.

For example, for 2027 coverage, Idaho’s Open Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 15.² New Jersey’s window is longer, running from November 1, 2026 to January 31, 2027.³

Below are the states that offer extended or shorter enrollment windows:

Typically, individuals who enroll in a plan and pay their first month’s premium will have active coverage on the following dates:

Could the Open Enrollment dates for 2027 coverage change?

Yes. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized a rule in 2025 that would have shortened Open Enrollment starting with 2027 coverage⁴. Under that rule, states using the federal Health Insurance Marketplace would have held Open Enrollment from November 1 through December 15, 2026, while state-based exchanges would have had to end their enrollment periods no later than December 31.

However, in June 2026, a federal judge ruled that CMS failed to justify shortening the enrollment period and therefore invalidated the provision⁵. The federal government appealed this decision, which is currently still pending.

Until more information is available, consumers should plan on a December 15 deadline and confirm the dates with their Marketplace before enrolling in coverage. If you live in a state that uses the federal HealthCare.gov platform, check the website for the latest federal deadlines⁶. If your state operates its own Marketplace, check your state exchange directly for updates.

What changes can I make during Open Enrollment?

Open Enrollment allows you to review your health coverage and make changes for the upcoming plan year.

During this period of time, you can:

1. Enroll in a new health insurance plan. If you don't currently have individual health insurance, you can shop for and enroll in a plan during Open Enrollment on public or private insurance exchanges.
2. Change your current health insurance plan. You can compare available plans on the market and switch to one that better fits your needs. In addition to the monthly premium, look at the policy’s deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximums. You should also consider the prescription coverage and whether your preferred doctors and facilities are in the plan's network.
3. Renew your existing plan. If your current plan is still available and you’re satisfied with it, you may be able to renew it for another year. However, double-check your plan to ensure it’s still the best one for you. Premiums, eligibility for federal subsidies, provider networks, and other plan details can change from year to year.
4. Add or remove dependents. Open Enrollment is also a good time to update who your individual health plan covers. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to add or remove a spouse or other eligible household members.

How does Open Enrollment work if my employer is offering me an ICHRA?

An ICHRA is a flexible alternative to traditional group plans. It’s a personalized health benefit that allows employers to provide their employees with a set tax-free monthly contribution that employees can use to pay for premiums once they choose and enroll in their own individual health coverage.

If your employer is offering you an ICHRA for the upcoming calendar year, Open Enrollment is the time to select and enroll in the individual health plan you'll use with the benefit.

Here are some important considerations to keep in mind:

• If your ICHRA benefit begins on January 1, you can enroll in an individual health plan during the Open Enrollment Period. If you're located in a state that uses the federal Marketplace, enrolling by December 15 allows your coverage to begin January 1, as long as you pay your first month’s premium. Other states may have their own enrollment deadlines for January 1 coverage.
• When shopping for coverage, review your employer's ICHRA plan documents carefully. It should explain your employer’s contribution amount, when the benefit begins, and who in your household is eligible to participate.
• To use the ICHRA, you and any eligible household members must enroll in qualifying individual health insurance coverage. Qualifying coverage includes ACA-compliant individual policies, student health coverage, and catastrophic health plans (for those who qualify). Medicare Advantage (known as Medicare Part C) and Medicare Parts A and B together can also satisfy the individual coverage requirement for an ICHRA.
• An ICHRA can affect your eligibility for premium tax credits and other federal subsidies. If your ICHRA meets affordability standards, you should opt into the benefit, as you can't receive a tax credit for Marketplace coverage if your ICHRA is affordable, even if you decline the benefit. If your ICHRA is unaffordable, you can opt out of the ICHRA and collect your premium tax credit, if you’re eligible.

What if my employer offers an ICHRA outside Open Enrollment?

If your employer offers you an ICHRA or adds you to the benefits midyear, that’s okay! An ICHRA offer outside of the annual Open Enrollment Period triggers a special enrollment period. That means you’ll have a 60-day window to enroll in or change your current health plan so you have qualifying coverage when the ICHRA begins.

Your ICHRA plan documents and required notice should provide details about your benefit, including how to enroll in qualifying coverage and what happens if you’re eligible for a special enrollment period. Read that information carefully and check with your benefits specialists or ICHRA provider, like Remodel Health, if you have questions.

What happens if I miss the Open Enrollment deadline?

Missing Open Enrollment doesn't necessarily mean you’ll have to go without health insurance. However, you’ll likely have limited options left to choose from.

For those who already have ACA Marketplace plans, HealthCare.gov or your state exchanges may automatically re-enroll you in your current policy. If your insurer no longer offers your plan, they may enroll you in similar coverage, which may not be the best fit for you and your family.

If you don't currently have individual coverage and miss the enrollment deadline, you’ll have to wait until the next Open Enrollment Period to enroll in a plan unless you have a qualifying life event and are eligible for a special enrollment period. Common qualifying life events include losing other health coverage, getting married, having a baby, or adopting a child. You’ll typically have 60 days from the event to select new coverage midyear.

You can also purchase short-term health insurance outside of Open Enrollment. However, short-term plans are not the same as ACA-compliant individual health insurance. They typically have several coverage limitations, and the federal government doesn’t consider them individual health insurance, making them ineligible for an ICHRA.

Your last option is to check if you’re eligible for Medicaid coverage or CHIP, which you can apply for at any time during the year. However, Medicaid also doesn’t meet the qualifying coverage requirements for ICHRAs.

How Remodel Health can help employees through Open Enrollment

Choosing a health plan can be tricky, especially if it’s your first time on the individual market or you’re new to an ICHRA. That’s why Remodel Health helps employees shop for coverage so they understand their options and choose the best plan that complements their ICHRA.

Remodel Health can provide:

• Education and resources. Employees have access to various enrollment resources, including virtual or in-person education sessions, ICHRA guides, and personalized support from launch coordinators to help you understand your benefit and coverage options.
• Personalized guidance and enrollment assistance. Compare and shop for individual health plans using Remodel Health’s decision-support tools and recommended plan features. Or, if you have complex coverage needs, connect one-on-one with a licensed benefits advisor. With our technology, 82% of employees make informed plan selections without meeting with an advisor.
• Ongoing support. Get year-round help with questions about your health plan or ICHRA. Our team can assist with benefits questions, provider and prescription issues, medical authorizations, and complex claims, even after Open Enrollment ends.

If your employer offers an ICHRA through Remodel Health, take advantage of the enrollment support available to you so you can choose qualifying coverage and get the most from your benefit.

How to enroll for members newly eligible for ICHRA

If your employer has just started offering an ICHRA with Remodel Health for January 1, you’ll receive an email from Remodel Health with the subject line, “You’ve been invited to Remodel Health!” This email includes a link to create your Remodel Health account.

Once you create an account, select “Start” from your dashboard to begin the enrollment process. After providing household information, you’ll have the opportunity to select and enroll in an individual plan. You can choose a recommended plan, browse all available plans, and filter your options by prescription coverage and preferred providers.

Once you’ve selected a plan or met with a licensed benefits advisor, keep an eye on your email inbox for any additional updates about your plan and next steps.

Conclusion

Open Enrollment is the best time of year to review your current health plan and make any necessary changes for the year ahead. And if your employer is offering an ICHRA, Open Enrollment is especially important to obtain qualifying individual coverage so you can use your benefit. Understanding your ICHRA, comparing your plan options, and enrolling in a plan by the deadline can help you make the most of your benefit and keep your family healthy year-round.

This article was originally published on September 3, 2024. It was last updated on August 7, 2026.

References

1. A quick guide to the Health Insurance Marketplace: Dates and Deadlines
2. Your Health Idaho: Apply and Enroll
3. Get Covered New Jersey: When Can I Buy Health Insurance?
4. Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Marketplace Integrity and Affordability
5. City of Columbus et al v. Kennedy et al
6. HealthCare.gov