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tl;drOpen Enrollment is the one time of year when anyone can get health insurance. It runs from November 1 to January 15 in most states. Outside that window, you won't be able to change your insurance (or enroll for the first time) unless you have a qualifying life event.

Open Enrollment is the time every year where people can change health insurance plans. It lasts from November 1 until January 15 in most states. If you need coverage by January 1, 2025, make sure to enroll by December 15.

What happens if I miss the deadline?

If you missed the December 15 deadline for coverage starting January 1, most states give you another month to enroll. Keep in mind, however, that your coverage won't start until February 1, so you may not have coverage in January.

After Open Enrollment ends (January 15 in most states), you won't be able to enroll until next year, unless you have a Qualifying Life Event (like getting married or having a new baby).

Which plan is right for me?

Here are some questions to consider:

1. Do you expect a low, medium, or high number of medical visits in the year ahead? It’s hard to know exactly, but estimating will help you select the right type of plan that gives you the best level of coverage for the best value (see Metal Tiers for more info on types of plans).

2. Do you want to switch plans or carriers? Add a dental plan? Catch makes it easy to shop and compare new plans. Open Enrollment is the best time of year to make a change if you're unhappy with your current coverage.

3. Does your plan offer solid coverage? Beware: some plans offer low prices but don’t actually provide good coverage. Make sure your plan is ACA-compliant and covers all 10 Essential Health Benefits (like every plan available through Catch).

4. Are you able to save money on your monthly premiums? Catch can make sure you get all the savings you're eligible for. Most people buying their own insurance save over $400 each month.

5. Do you need to renew your plan from this year? If you're happy with your plan from the previous year, find out if you need to renew it yourself. Catch can automatically renew your plan so you don't accidentally lose coverage.

Open Enrollment can be overwhelming with lots of acronyms and jargon. If you have more questions, Catch Support is here to help.

Why can't I enroll in health insurance whenever I want?

The idea behind having a brief window for Open Enrollment is that if anyone could get health insurance whenever they wanted, then no one would get it when they were healthy, and everyone would get it when they got sick or injured. That would make it impossible for insurance companies to cover the costs of care.