Although the individual mandate for health insurance has been repealed, many people will still seek coverage through the government’s website. Here is what you need to know about enrolling and open enrollment dates for 2019.
The End of the Obamacare Mandate
Before you read on, you should know there is no longer a tax penalty for not having health insurance. This year (2018) is the last year you are required to hold insurance.
The Affordable Care Act forced individuals who did not have health insurance to pay a tax penalty of $695 per adult or 2.5% of their household income, whichever figure is higher. In many cases, paying this fine was cheaper than enrolling in the government-mandated healthcare plan.
Even though President Trump and his administration managed to get rid of the harsh mandate, many people are still awaiting open enrollment. This period allows them to make changes to their current coverage or find new insurance for 2019.
About Open Enrollment
Open enrollment is essentially a period of time each year when you can sign up for health insurance or make changes to your current coverage. If you miss open enrollment you won’t be able to make any changes or get coverage until next year. This enrollment period is in place for the following types of coverage.
- Individual market health insurance
- Job-based health insurance
- Medicare
You can usually review, change, and start these three types of health insurance during the open enrollment period. However, it should be noted that you can change or start job-based health insurance at any time throughout the year.
The enrollment period does NOT apply to the following types of health insurance.
- CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program)
- Medicaid
- Short-term health insurance
- Supplemental insurance
- Travel insurance
These types of coverage are generally available all year long and are not subject to the open enrollment window.
Open Enrollment Dates by State
Medicare recipients have a different open enrollment period than those enrolling for individual coverage. Those receiving Medicare can make changes or enroll from October 15 through December 7, 2018.
For the most part, open enrollment in the United States is available from November 1, 2018, until December 15 for individual coverage. However, some states have extended enrollment periods. View the open enrollment dates for your state below.
| State | Open Enrollment Period for 2019 |
| Alabama | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| Alaska | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| Arizona | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| Arkansas | November 1, 201,8 through December 15 |
| California | October 15, 2018, through January 15, 2019 |
| Colorado | November 1, 2018, through January 15, 2019 |
| Connecticut | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| Delaware | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| Florida | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| Georgia | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| Hawaii | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| Idaho | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| Illinois | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| Indiana | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| Iowa | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| Kansas | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| Kentucky | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| Louisiana | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| Maine | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| Maryland | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| Massachusetts | November 1, 2018, through January 23, 2019 |
| Michigan | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| Minnesota | November 1, 2018, through January 13, 2019 |
| Mississippi | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| Missouri | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| Montana | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| Nebraska | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| Nevada | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| New Hampshire | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| New Jersey | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| New Mexico | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| New York | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| North Carolina | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| North Dakota | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| Ohio | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| Oklahoma | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| Oregon | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| Pennsylvania | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| Rhode Island | November 1, 2018, through December 31 |
| South Carolina | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| South Dakota | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| Tennessee | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| Texas | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| Utah | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| Vermont | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| Virginia | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| Washington | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| Washington DC | November 1, 2018, through January 31, 2019 |
| West Virginia | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| Wisconsin | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
| Wyoming | November 1, 2018, through December 15 |
In states with extended open enrollment, it is important to note that if you need coverage by January 1, you will still need to enroll by December 15. Anyone not enrolled by this date will have coverage effective by February 1 or March 1, depending on your state and its open enrollment dates.
Do You Qualify For a Special Enrollment Period?
You may also qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). If you do, this generally gives you an additional 60 days to get coverage. This exception allows you to sign up for coverage after open enrollment if you lost your insurance due to any of the following reasons.
- If you lost your job
- You moved this year
- If you got divorced or married
- You became a widow or widower
- Individuals who aged off of a parent’s plan
- Your COBRA insurance expired
- You have a new baby
If you lost your insurance because you didn’t pay your premiums or you voluntarily cancel your coverage, you will not be eligible for special enrollment. You can check HealthCare.gov to see if you qualify for a SEP. Those who do not qualify for a SEP will need to wait until open enrollment for 2020 begins this time next year.
More Opportunities During Open Enrollment
Although open enrollment typically refers to health care, many employers will also allow employees to enroll in different job-based benefit programs during this time as well. Some of the benefits that may be open for enrollment and changes are:
- Flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts
- Life insurance, disability insurance, vision insurance, dental insurance, legal insurance, supplemental insurance benefits, etc.
If you have specific questions about open enrollment and your options, contact your employer or visit HealthCare.gov.
