Enrollment periods for healthcare are exactly what they sound like — they are the only time of year when it is possible to sign up for health insurance coverage.
It is important to find out the dates of the enrollment period for health insurance at work or through the federal government in order to not miss the opportunity to get affordable healthcare.
What Is Healthcare Open Enrollment?
Healthcare open enrollment is the term describing the period of time when it is possible to sign up for health coverage.
Most of the year, enrollment is closed unless there is a major life change, such as getting married, having a baby, or starting or ending a job.
For those who get health insurance through their employer, the open enrollment period will vary. Some companies only open health insurance enrollment during the same period each year. Others make health insurance available after a certain period of employment.
Is the Healthcare Open Enrollment Period Different for Medicaid?
It is possible to apply for and get coverage under Medicaid or under the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) at any time. There is no closed period of enrollment to ensure that those who are the most vulnerable always have access to healthcare.
When Is Open Enrollment?
Open enrollment for health insurance usually occurs between November 1st and January 15th of the following year.
However, some states that have their own insurance exchanges may have different start or end dates, usually starting a bit earlier than November 1st and/or ending a bit later than January 15th the following year.
Florida does not have a state specific exchange and offers open enrollment for federal healthcare options between November 1st and January 15th.
When Does Coverage Begin After Open Enrollment?
In most cases, health coverage will begin on the first day of the month following enrollment. So, if someone were to sign up on November 2nd, their coverage would begin on December 1.
If you have questions about healthcare coverage in Florida, contact us at Florida Healthcare Law Firm today.