Open Enrollment is your once-a-year chance to make major decisions about your health insurance coverage. Whether you’re shopping for a new plan or updating your current one, the choices you make during this window can impact your health, your finances, and your peace of mind for the entire year.
Here are the top 7 things you need to know about Open Enrollment—brought to you by the team at BBS Insurance, your trusted health insurance advisors. If you want to make smart decisions without the stress, this guide is for you.
1. There’s a Deadline—and It’s Non-Negotiable
For most Americans, Open Enrollment runs from November 1 through January 15, though some states with their own exchanges may have slightly different dates. If you miss this window, you usually won’t be able to enroll in or change your health insurance plan until the next Open Enrollment—unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (more on that below).
Missing the deadline can mean being locked into a plan that no longer meets your needs—or worse, going without coverage.
Tip: Mark your calendar early, and don’t wait until the last week to start shopping. Plans take time to review and enroll in, especially if you’re comparing multiple options.
BBS Insurance works with you ahead of deadlines to avoid last-minute panic and costly mistakes.
2. You Can Switch, Renew, or Drop a Plan
During Open Enrollment, you have the flexibility to:
- Renew your current plan (if it’s still available)
- Switch to a new plan that better fits your current needs
- Drop your plan entirely if you’re getting coverage elsewhere (like a new job)
Even if you like your current coverage, it’s smart to review and compare. Premiums, provider networks, and covered services can all change from year to year. What worked last year might not be your best option anymore.
At BBS Insurance, we do a side-by-side comparison of your existing plan versus new options to help you stay protected and save money.
3. Your Health and Life Circumstances Change—Your Coverage Should Too
This past year, did you:
- Start taking new prescriptions?
- Get married or divorced?
- Have a baby or adopt a child?
- Develop a new medical condition or receive a diagnosis?
- Move to a new ZIP code?
All of these life events impact what kind of health plan will serve you best. Open Enrollment is your opportunity to adjust your coverage based on your current life—not last year’s.
BBS Insurance walks clients through a health and lifestyle review to make sure your coverage fits your reality.
4. Plan Costs Go Beyond the Premium
It’s tempting to choose the lowest monthly premium, but that’s only one piece of the puzzle. Make sure you understand all the costs that come with a plan:
- Premium: Your monthly payment
- Deductible: What you pay out-of-pocket before insurance kicks in
- Copayments and coinsurance: What you owe each time you get care
- Out-of-pocket maximum: The most you’ll pay in a year before insurance pays 100%
Sometimes a higher premium plan offers much better coverage and lower total costs if you expect to use more services. Conversely, if you’re
healthy and rarely go to the doctor, a low-premium, high-deductible plan might work for you.
BBS Insurance helps you do the math so you’re not surprised by hidden costs throughout the year.
5. Subsidies Can Make a Big Difference
Many individuals and families qualify for premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions that lower the cost of insurance under the Affordable Care Act. Even if you didn’t qualify before, you might now, especially if your income has changed.
During Open Enrollment, you should:
- Reassess your income level
- See if you qualify for subsidies
- Apply for Medicaid or CHIP if eligible
Financial assistance can bring down premiums, reduce deductibles, and make quality care affordable.
Let BBS Insurance help you apply for financial help and ensure you’re not overpaying.
6. Special Enrollment Periods Are Limited—Don’t Rely on Them
Outside of Open Enrollment, you can only sign up for or change health insurance if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). This typically applies when you:
- Lose employer-sponsored coverage
- Get married or divorced
- Have or adopt a child
- Move to a new area with different coverage options
- Leave incarceration
While SEPs are helpful, they come with time restrictions—often just 60 days from the event. That’s why Open Enrollment is your safest, most flexible chance to get the right coverage.
BBS Insurance helps clients understand SEP rules, but we always recommend taking advantage of Open Enrollment when possible.
7. You Don’t Have to Navigate It Alone
This is the biggest one: you don’t have to do this alone.
Choosing a health plan can be overwhelming. There’s a lot of fine print, confusing language, and trade-offs to consider. But when you work with BBS Insurance, you’re not just picking a plan—you’re getting expert guidance that’s personalized to your needs.
We:
- Break down the plan options clearly
- Compare pricing and benefits side by side
- Make sure your doctors and prescriptions are covered
- Help with subsidy applications and paperwork
- Enroll you without any pressure or sales gimmicks
And the best part? Our services are completely free. We’re paid by insurance companies, not by you, and we work for your best interest.
Final Word: Open Enrollment Is Your Annual Reset Button
Don’t treat Open Enrollment like a chore. Treat it like an opportunity to take control of your health, your costs, and your peace of mind for the year ahead.
Whether you’re signing up for the first time, switching plans, or just making sure your current coverage still fits, BBS Insurance is here to make the process easy and stress-free.
Contact us today to schedule your free consultation before the window closes.