Open Enrollment for Health Insurance is NOW


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Did you know that there are only a few windows of time when you can sign up for a health insurance plan? If you want to have insurance coverage in 2018, then it is important that you act fast so that you don’t miss the open enrollment period.

When Can You Sign Up for Health Insurance?

Jonathan Nolan, JPN Insurance

In the health insurance industry, there are two times when you can sign up for coverage:

  • During open enrollment, which is usually at the end of the year
  • Or, when you experience a qualifying event that creates a special enrollment period due to extenuating circumstances.

A qualifying event means that you had some type of change that caused you to lose your insurance coverage. Examples include losing your job, a change in marital status, aging off a parent’s plan, or having a baby.

On the other hand, if you lost your previous health insurance because you didn’t pay the monthly costs. Then, it means that it was a voluntary cancellation and you will need to wait until the next open enrollment period to sign up.

Do You Need to Worry about Open Enrollment?

Open enrollment periods are common for many insurance plans. If you are on health insurance through your work, then your employer will inform you of the exact dates for insurance enrollment. If you have individual market health insurance coverage, then there are probably specific windows of time when you can enroll.

Even if you have current coverage, it is common that you will need to re-enroll for the following year. So, it is important that you identify the open enrollment periods for your insurance coverage to ensure that you don’t miss the window for next year.

Certain types of insurance don’t use open enrollment times, such as travel insurance, short-term policies, and some types of supplemental insurance products.

2018 Open Enrollment Times

If your insurance coverage is through the individual market, then your open enrollment period is between November 1, 2017 and January 31, 2018. Sign up now, and your coverage will go into effect on January 1st.

Do you need help choosing the right insurance plan? Talk to our team at JPN Insurance Services for more information and personalized recommendations: (951) 443-9925