Open enrollment refers to period of time during which people with job-based coverage can enroll in a new health plan or change from one plan to another. This is usually an annual period sometime in the fall, but your company may choose to hold its open enrollment period at any time — as long as you are notified in advance. Once the open enrollment period ends, your coverage is locked in for the next year. You will not be able to change your coverage until the next open enrollment period.
People who become eligible for coverage at other times of the year may have their own special enrollment period. Once this special enrollment period ends, the employee cannot enroll or change coverage until the annual enrollment period begins.
Other types of health plans also have open enrollment periods. For example, Medicare Part D has an annual open enrollment period from November 15 to December 31. Furthermore, Ohio HMOs each have their own annual open enrollment periods during which any individual can enroll, regardless of their health status.
