Mark Your Calendars!

Open Enrollment is the only time each year that you can apply for health insurance or change your plan unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

The 2024 Open Enrollment Period is on the Horizon!

As the year draws to an end, prepare for the upcoming 2024 Open Enrollment period for healthcare coverage. This crucial period allows you to review, adjust, or change your health plan according to your current needs and circumstances. The process might seem complicated, but don’t worry – we’re here to help you every step of the way.

Important dates for Marketplace coverage

The Open Enrollment Period for the year 2024 starts on November 1, 2023, and lasts until January 15, 2024. Any changes made will reflect in your coverage starting from January 1, 2024.

• November 1: Open Enrollment begins. This is the first day you can enroll in a health insurance plan for the upcoming year through the Marketplace.
• December 15: This is the deadline for enrolling in a health insurance plan that will provide coverage starting January 1 of the next year. If you miss this deadline, you won’t have insurance coverage for the start of the new year.
• January 15: This is the final day to enroll or make changes to your plan. If you miss this deadline, you’ll have to wait until the next Open Enrollment period to apply for health insurance unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period due to a life event the Marketplace recognizes.

You may qualify for savings!

Most individuals qualify for savings and these savings are largely dependent on your projected household income for the year. It’s crucial to get a rough estimate to find out if you’ll save.

Based on your income estimate, we can inform you if you qualify for:

• Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP): These programs serve low-income adults, some low-income pregnant women, children, and people with disabilities. Medicaid is free or low cost.
• A premium tax credit (PTC) that can lower your monthly insurance bill.
• A cost share reduction (CSR) an extra savings on out-of-pocket costs. This means you would pay less for deductibles, copays, and co-insurance.

Savings are generally offered only during Open Enrollment or a Special Enrollment Period.

Coverage Details: What Do All Marketplace Plans Cover?

All Marketplace plans are designed to provide comprehensive coverage to cater to your healthcare needs. This includes 10 essential health benefits:

1. Ambulatory patient services: Outpatient care you get without being admitted to a hospital.
2. Emergency services: Care you get in an emergency room.
3. Hospitalization: Care you get as a hospital patient, including care from doctors, nurses, and other hospital staff, laboratory and other tests, medications you receive during your hospital stay, and room and board.
4. Maternity and newborn care: Care before and after your baby is born.
5. Mental health and substance use disorder services: This includes behavioral health treatment, counseling, and psychotherapy.
6. Prescription drugs: At least one prescription drug must be covered for each category and classification of federally approved drugs.
7. Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices: Services and devices to help you gain or recover mental and physical skills.
8. Laboratory services: Tests provided to help a doctor diagnose an injury, illness, or condition, or to monitor the effectiveness of a particular treatment.
9. Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management: Preventive care, such as screenings, vaccines and check-ups, to keep you healthy and care to manage a chronic disease.
10. Pediatric services: This includes dental care and vision care for kids.

In addition, free preventive health services are offered at no cost to you when delivered by a doctor or provider in your plan’s network.

All Marketplace plans offer coverage for pre-existing conditions, meaning your insurer cannot refuse to cover you or charge you more based on any pre-existing conditions.

Ways to apply for coverage several ways

Apply any way that works for you:

• Online
• By phone
• With the help of someone in your community
• Through an agent/ broker like The Health Insurance Gal
• By mail (paper application)
• With a paper application

What to expect after you enroll

After you have enrolled in a Marketplace plan, you can expect to receive your insurance card and welcome packet from your new insurer. Keep this information handy as it will contain important details about your health coverage.

Who can participate in the 2024 Open Enrollment Period?

Anyone who needs health insurance can participate. Whether you’re uninsured, or just looking to make changes to your current plan, Open Enrollment is the time to act.

Being proactive during the Open Enrollment will not only help you secure the best healthcare plan but also potentially save you a significant amount of money.

To make your healthcare journey as smooth as possible, you can consult with The Health Insurance Gal at your convenience.

We are available online, over the phone, or in person Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. We understand that our clients have varied schedules and needs, which is why we have made our website a comprehensive platform available 24/7. It allows you to shop, compare, and enroll in the plan that best suits your health coverage needs at any time. Feel free to reach out to us for any assistance or guidance regarding your healthcare plan options.