Enrollment Periods and Deadlines

The Open Enrollment Period (OEP) is the time each year when you can sign up for, renew, or change your health insurance plan through the ACA Marketplace.

Key Dates for Coverage

Date	What It Means
November 1st	Open Enrollment begins. You can apply for new coverage or renew your existing plan.
December 15th	Last day to enroll for coverage that starts January 1 of the coming year.
January 15th	Final deadline to enroll for coverage in the coming year. If you enroll between Dec 16 – Jan 15, your coverage starts February 1. Most states have an extended OEP, but be sure to check with your state if you have this opportunity.

After January 15, you can only enroll if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

Special Enrollment Periods (SEP)

You may qualify for a SEP if you experience a major life change, such as:

• Losing other health coverage
• Getting married or divorced
• Having a baby or adopting a child
• Moving to a new ZIP code or county
• Gaining immigration status or leaving incarceration

You typically have 60 days from the event to enroll.

Are There Penalties for Not Having ACA Coverage?

Federal Penalty

The federal individual mandate penalty was repealed in 2019. You won’t pay a federal fine for being uninsured.

State Penalties

Some states (like California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Rhode Island) do charge penalties if you don’t have coverage.

Even without a penalty, going uninsured can mean:

• Paying full price for doctor visits, prescriptions, or hospital stays
• Missing out on preventive care and financial protection

How to Enroll

You can apply through:

• HealthCare.gov
• HealthSherpa
• ACA Enrollment Periods Timeline (PDF)
• Your state’s Marketplace (if applicable)
• Or with the help of a licensed agent