ACA regulations provide that there be an Open Enrollment Period each year from November 1st through December 15th (for a January 1st effective date). In Colorado, this deadline is extended until January 15th (for a February 1st start date).

Open Enrollment is the time period where anyone who is eligible for a plan may purchase one for the coming plan year. Regardless of your job status, medical history, or past insurance (if any), you can purchase a plan. As a broker, our job here at Seasons Insurance Agency is to shop with you, explain the options, benefits, and costs of the plan you choose. We want you to be insured, and we want to make sure the plan you choose is best for you and your family!

If you miss the Open Enrollment Period, you might be out of luck to purchase a plan unless you have a Qualifying Event to purchase a plan during a Special Enrollment Period. Learn more about Special Enrollment Periods here.

Why is it limited? Since the insurance companies are required to issue plans without pre-existing condition limitations or health questions, the only way to help keep the insurance industry working the way it should is to limit the time frame when you can enroll. Think about it this way: If someone gets insurance the month before they have a costly surgery and then drops the insurance right after the surgery is completed, then the rates for everyone would increase.

Next: Special Enrollment Periods