When Is Open Enrollment for 2025?

Open enrollment represents the yearly period where employees enroll in employer-sponsored insurance and healthcare plans. During this period, employees typically have the power to select new coverage, change their current benefit and coverage elections or maintain the same coverage they had prior to open enrollment. The healthcare open enrollment period typically runs from November to January 15, but some states offer extended or abbreviated timelines. We take a closer look in this guide.

Insurance can play an important role in a person or family’s financial stability. Speak with a financial advisor today about your long-term financial plan.

What Are the Dates for Open Enrollment?

For 2025 coverage, open enrollment dates will vary depending on whether you are enrolling through the federal Health Insurance Marketplace, a state-run exchange, or an employer-sponsored plan.

Federal Health Insurance Marketplace

The federal Health Insurance Marketplace typically runs its open enrollment period from November 1 through January 15 each year. As a result, the open enrollment period for 2025 began Nov. 1, 2024, and ended Jan. 15, 2025.

However, there are specific deadlines within this window. For example, to have coverage start on January 1, you generally need to enroll or make changes by December 15. Enrollments or changes made after this date but before January 15 usually result in coverage beginning on February 1. It’s advisable to check healthcare.gov for any updates or extensions to these dates.

State-Run Marketplaces

However, some states with their own health insurance exchanges may have different open enrollment periods. States like California and New York often extend their enrollment windows beyond the federal deadlines.

The following states adhere to a different open enrollment timeframes:

California: Nov. 1, 2024, to Jan. 31, 2025
New Jersey: Nov. 1, 2024, to Jan. 31, 2025
Idaho: Oct. 15, 2024, to Dec. 16, 2024
Maryland: Nov. 1, 2024, to Dec. 15, 2024
Massachusetts: Nov. 1, 2024, to Jan. 23, 2025
New York: Nov. 16, 2024, to Jan. 31, 2025

Meanwhile, Rhode Island extended its open enrollment until Feb. 28, 2025, due to a “cyber security” incident that affected RIBridges, the state’s healthcare and benefits system.

If you live in a state with its own exchange, visit your state’s marketplace website to confirm its specific timeline. These extended deadlines can provide added flexibility for individuals and families needing more time to finalize their health coverage decisions.

Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance

For those covered by employer-sponsored health plans, open enrollment dates are set by the employer and usually occur in the fall. The specific timeframe can vary widely but often lasts a few weeks. During this period, employees can select new plans, adjust coverage levels or add dependents. Employers typically notify their workforce in advance, so pay attention to internal communications to avoid missing your enrollment period.

Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs)

SEPs provide health insurance to individuals who missed the yearly open enrollment period. There are eligibility requirements, though. You may qualify if you’ve lost health coverage, moved to a different location, gotten married, adopted a child or had your household income drop below a certain threshold. But eligibility requirements may vary by state.

Depending on your SEP type, you may have 60 days before or 60 days following the event to enroll in a plan. You can enroll in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) any time. Job-based plans must provide a Special Enrollment Period of at least 30 days.

If you don’t qualify for the SEP, you can still enroll in short-term health insurance. These plans can come with terms ranging from 30 days to three months.

Bottom Line

Open enrollment for the federal Health Insurance Marketplace begins November 1 and runs through January 15. However, some states follow their own open enrollment schedules, so it’s best to verify your state’s timeframe each year. Meanwhile, if you get insurance through your employer, open enrollment is typically held in the fall.

Tips for Saving on Health Insurance

If you’re looking for alternatives to traditional health insurance, you do have some options at your disposal. Consider our review of the five alternatives to paying for health insurance.
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