Open enrollment for individuals who purchase their own health insurance starts November 1 this year. This is your annual opportunity to purchase or change individual health insurance coverage.
If you already have an individual or family health plan, this is the only time of year to make changes to your coverage. You may only enroll for coverage at other times if you qualify for a special enrollment period (for example: if you lose other health coverage).
Pennie – The Marketplace for Pennsylvania Residents
Pennsylvania residents who want to shop for Individual Health Insurance plans have a Pennsylvania-specific marketplace. Pennie allows you to shop for your health insurance plan, keep track of key dates like enrollment periods, and see if you qualify for tax credits. If you previously enrolled through the Federal Marketplace, you will need to re-enroll through Pennie.
If you live outside of Pennsylvania, you still have the ability to enroll or change your plan and apply for tax credits on the Federal Marketplace website.
Enrollment runs from November 1, 2024 to December 15, 2024 if you want coverage starting on January 1, 2025. The annual enrollment period ends on January 15th. If you sign up after December 15 your coverage will begin on February 1, 2025.
Outside the enrollment period, you can enroll in 2024 health insurance only if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). You qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you’ve experienced certain life events:
- Losing health coverage
- Moving
- Getting married
- Having a baby
- Adopting a child
- Death of someone on your plan
- Changes that make you no longer eligible for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
- Starting or ending service as an AmeriCorps State and National, VISTA, or NCCC member
- Leaving incarceration
Qualifying individuals usually have up to 60 days following the event to enroll in a plan. If you miss that window, you have to wait until the next Open Enrollment Period to apply.
If you are participating in Individual Open Enrollment, we are happy to assist you in the enrollment process to see if you’re eligible for financial assistance, and to help you purchase a plan that meets your needs.
Updated October 12, 2024