Will There Be a 2018 Open Enrollment?

When Is 2018 Obamacare or ACA Open Enrollment?

With all the uncertainty over healthcare reform in 2017, it is important to understand that open enrollment in Healthcare.gov is still on for 2018.

Here are the key facts to remember about the 2017 – 2018 open enrollment season (see information on the 2018 – 2019 open enrollment season):

• Open enrollment is still on for ObamaCare (the Affordable Care Act). 2018 open enrollment starts November 1, 2017, and ends December 15, 2017 (extended to January 2018 in some states). The state specific dates can be found below.
• 2018 open enrollment is the time when you can enroll with plans that qualify for cost assistance (you enroll in late 2017 for a 2018 plan).
• Healthcare.gov is the official marketplace, so you should make sure to enroll or re-enroll there.
• Generally, the ACA is still the law of the land and the exchanges (like Healthcare.gov) are still open for business.
• If you don’t enroll during open enrollment, opportunities for health insurance and cost assistance are limited.
• The fee is still in effect, but its likely not to be fully enforced. So those who don’t want coverage may get away with no enrolling, but those who want coverage still have access to the benefits of the Affordable Care Act. If you plan to not get covered, consider signing up and seeing your assistance options before making your final decision. People tend to not be fully aware of the full range of cost assistance options.

State Specific Open Enrollment Dates For 2018 Open Enrollment

Regulations put in place by the Trump Administration cut open the time available for enrollment in half.^[1] Last year Americans had two months to enroll. This year, they have only one month to enroll on the federal exchange.

With the above in mind, some states have decided to extend the open enrollment period on their state exchanges. As of September 8, 2017, six states have extended enrollment: Washington (Nov. 1, 2017 – January 15, 2018), California (Nov 1, 2017 – Jan. 12, 2018), Minnesota (Nov 1, 2017 – Jan. 14, 2018), Connecticut (Nov 1, 2017 – Jan. 31, 2018), District of Columbia (Nov.1, 2017 – January 31, 2018), and Rhode Island (Nov 1, 2017 – December. 31, 2017).

New York, Idaho, Maryland, Vermont, Connecticut, and Massachusetts are still legally permitted to extend open enrollment.^[2]

How do I use The Affordable Care Act Marketplace?

Some states use the federal marketplace, while others have state exchanges. See Healthcare.gov for information on federal healthcare.^[3] See State Run Exchanges for information on those.^[4]

We Must Help Each Other, Especially this Year.

This year, with all the conflict over healthcare reform and with the Trump administration cutting the budget for insurance enrollment information by 90%, there is bound to be a lack of reminders to enroll in insurance.

Furthermore, with the wildfires in the west and the hurricanes and flooding in the south and south east, a lot of people have to depend on others to keep a steady footing this year.

Please don’t let your friends lose their health insurance. Pass this information around. We’ve seen how Americans work together. Let’s help everyone keep their medical insurance the same way we’d help with any other challenge.

To sign up for medical insurance during open enrollment, go to Healthcare.gov. If you miss open enrollment, you miss your chance to get cost assisted health insurance for the year (unless you qualify for special enrollment).^[5]

TIP: Make sure to visit ObamaCareFacts.com will help you make sure you have the information you need, but please share. People will need you to make it easier for those who want Marketplace insurance to have the information to enroll during open enrollment.

Other Enrollment Periods You May Need to Know About

If you have run out of COBRA coverage, had a baby, or had another significant life change, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period from Healthcare.gov. A special enrollment period will let you sign up anytime, even in the middle of the year.

If you qualify for Medicaid or have children who are eligible for the Children’s Health Insurance Program or CHIP, you can enroll anytime. To find out if you are eligible, see Medicaid and CHIP Coverage.^[6].  These are income-based programs that can protect children, the disabled, seniors, and others in need.

Summary

Let’s get the word around that open enrollment for 2018 coverage starts November 1, 2017, and ends December 15, 2017. The ACA is still the law, so take advantage of this opportunity to keep your health insurance and qualify for cost assistance.

1. Regulations put in place by the Trump Administration cut open enrollment in half
2. States That Have Extended Health Insurance Open Enrollment for 2018 (and States That Still Can)
3. Healthcare.gov
4. State Run Exchanges
5. Healthcare.Gov
6. Medicaid and CHIP Coverage