Open enrollment is a specific time period each year when you can enroll in, change, or waive your health insurance benefits.
There are two types of open enrollment periods to be aware of:
- ACA Open Enrollment: This is the nationwide enrollment window for individual health insurance, typically running from November 1 to January 15.
- Employer Open Enrollment: Your employer may have a different — and often shorter — open enrollment period for selecting benefits through their ICHRA or other plans.
Your employer will communicate the exact dates and instructions for open enrollment through BEN360 or another internal channel. It’s important to take action during this time, as changes generally can’t be made outside of open enrollment unless you experience a qualifying life event (like marriage or the birth of a child).