When is Open Enrollment for Health Insurance 2021?

The federal government has declared a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) that re-opens the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace through August 15, 2021. The open enrollment for health insurance 2021 began November 1, 2020, and ended December 15, 2020, in most of the states.

Coverage begins the first day of the month after you sign up. For example, if you signed up February 15, your coverage would have been effective March 1st.

The table below shows the Special Enrollment Period (SEP) dates for the states that use the federal ACA exchange.

Missed Your State’s Open Enrollment Deadline. Can You Still Get Healthcare Coverage?

If you have missed the enrollment deadline in your state, it is still possible that you can qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) that will allow you to apply for health insurance. You can qualify for an SEP if you have experienced a qualifying life event. Qualifying life events can include:

• The loss of health insurance through a job.
• Household changes such as marriage, divorce, a death in the family, or having a baby.
• A change in your home address.

If you do not qualify for an Special Enrollment Period and decide not to apply for a short-term health plan, you will have to wait until Open Enrollment 2022 begins in fall 2021.

Ref: HealthMarkets

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