Open Enrollment for 2024: What is it and when is it going to begin?

If you missed your state's enrollment deadline, you may still be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) that allows you to register for health insurance.

Open Enrollment for 2024: The 2024 Open Enrollment Period (OEP) begins November 1, 2023, and ends January 15, 2024, in most states.

Coverage commences on 1 January. During Special Enrollment Periods, coverage begins on the first day of the following month. For instance, if you enrol on February 15th, your coverage will begin on March 1st.

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2023 Open Enrollment Period State-Wise Dates

The 2023 Open Enrollment Period dates vary by state for those states with their own ACA exchanges. The dates for the SEP and OEP in these states are listed in the table below.

California: 2 November 1, 2023 – January 31, 2024
Colorado: 3 November 1, 2023 – January 15, 2024
Connecticut: 4vNovember 1, 2023 – TBA
Idaho: 5 October 15, 2023 – TBA
Kentucky: 6November 1, 2023 – TBA
Maine: TBA
Maryland: 7 November 1, 2023 – January 15, 2024
Massachusetts: 8 November 1, 2023 – January 23, 2024
Minnesota: 9 November 1, 2023 – January 15, 2024
Nevada: 10November 1, 2023 – January 15, 2024
New Jersey: 11November 1, 2023 – January 31, 2024
New Mexico: 12November 1, 2023 – January 15, 2024
New York: TBA
Pennsylvania: 13 November 1, 2023 – January 15, 2024
Rhode Island: TBA
Vermont: 14 November 1, 2023 – January 15, 2024
Washington DC: 15 November 1, 2023 – January 31, 2024
Washington: 16November 1, 2023 – January 15, 2024

What to do If I Miss Open Enrollment for 2024 Deadline?

If you missed your state’s enrollment deadline, you may still be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) that allows you to register for health insurance.

If you have endured a qualifying life event, you may be eligible for a SEP.

Examples of qualifying life events include:

The elimination of employer-provided health insurance.
Changes in the household, such as marriage, divorce, a funeral in the family, or the birth of a child.
A new residential address.

View a list of eligible life occurrences. If eligible for a SEP, you have sixty days to enrol in a plan. However, if you fail this 60-day window, you will have to wait until OEP to enrol in a 2024 individual health insurance policy.

If you missed your state’s 2023 Open Enrollment Period and do not qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you may register for a short-term health insurance plan.

Outside of OEP, you can purchase short-term health insurance for up to 364 days, and you can reapply for short-term coverage for up to 36 months in most states.

Short-term health insurance plans may be a suitable temporary option for healthy individuals, as they do not cover pre-existing conditions like plans under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

If you do not qualify for a SEP and choose not to apply for a short-term health plan, you must wait until the autumn 2023 start of Open Enrollment 2024.

Sweta Bharti

Sweta Bharti is a content writer at Eduvast who specializes in health, wellness, education, and informational content. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) degree and has a growing academic foundation in Ayurveda, preventive healthcare, nutrition, and holistic wellness. At Eduvast, she focuses on creating well-researched, reader-friendly content that helps readers understand complex topics in a simple and accessible manner.