When is Open Enrollment and Special Enrollment? When can I apply for health insurance?

In most states, the Open Enrollment period for health insurance will start November 1st, 2024, and will run until January 15th, 2025.

However, to secure coverage starting January 1st, 2025, you must apply and pick your plan by December 15th, 2024. Applications submitted between December 16th, 2024 and January 15th, 2025 will have a February 1st, 2025 start date. 

Exceptions to these rules: In California and New Jersey you will have until December 31st 2024 to apply for coverage starting January 1st 2025.

And in some states, the deadline may be extended past January 15th, 2025. View those states here.  

For context, each year the government sets aside a specific time called Open Enrollment where anyone can purchase a new insurance plan for the upcoming year.

The government created this time because insurance works by combining the money that people pay each month in premiums to cover medical costs. Without the Open Enrollment Period, many people would only apply for insurance once they got sick or required expensive medical care, and there would not be enough funds in the system to cover everyone’s medical costs.

Outside of Open Enrollment, people may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Usually, to qualify during this time you'd need a qualifying life event, such as losing job-based coverage or having a baby.