Open Enrollment for 2022 Health Insurance Coverage
For those who want to be covered by health insurance or change their coverage, open enrollment is an important period each year. Missing your chance to enroll during open enrollment could mean that you’re denied coverage for the next year, or else you’ll have to pay extra fees.
What is open enrollment for?
Open enrollment is the period of time where you can start, change, or drop your Medicare coverage. It’s smart to take a look at your Medicare coverage during open enrollment to evaluate if it’s covering your needs as best it can. Does your plan work with your budget? Does your preferred doctor fall in the plan’s provider network? Are your prescriptions covered by your plan? If your plan isn’t right for you after all, now is the time to change it without penalty.
When is the open enrollment period for 2022 health insurance?
The open enrollment period to be covered by health insurance for 2022 begins on Monday, November 1, 2021, and it ends on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. The soonest date that your coverage can begin is Saturday, January 1, 2022.
What happens if I miss open enrollment?
While the Affordable Care Act changed the laws so that you don’t get a tax penalty if you’re not covered by health insurance, you will still see some hefty costs if you need medical care and you’re not covered. If you happen to miss the open enrollment period, there isn’t much the average person can do about it. It will mean that you are most likely without health insurance for 2022 and will have to wait for the next open enrollment period. However, many carriers offer a 30-day grace period for you to update your selections which may help you.
Special enrollment for those who missed open enrollment
If you underwent a significant life change, then you may be forgiven for missing open enrollment. If you just missed it, then you may be out of luck. Here are some special circumstances that would allow people to still buy health insurance coverage after the open enrollment period has passed:
· You started a new job, or lost your group health insurance
· You recently moved homes
· You started a business recently
· You had a child or adopted recently
· You got married or divorced recently
· Your carrier canceled your coverage
I missed open enrollment, what do I do?
There are a couple of options to keep yourself covered after missing open enrollment. You may qualify for Medicare/CHIP. This program is meant to bridge the gap that exists where someone earns too much to qualify for Medicaid but can’t afford to pay for health insurance. The costs for CHIP are dependent on your income. The enrollment fee is $50 per family per year, and co-pays for doctor visits and medicine range from $3-$35 dependent on your income.
If you don’t qualify for Medicaid or CHIP, then your best option left is to enroll in a short-term health insurance plan, a plan that will cover you for 364 days or less. There are some limitations to short term plans, though. First, they are not offered in every state. Second, they usually don’t cover pre-existing conditions. Third, they don’t meet the Affordable Care Act’s standards for minimum essential coverage. Finally, they are not guaranteed, so there is a chance that your application for short-term coverage is denied.
Plan IV | Your trusted health insurance service
Now that you know the importance of making sure to enroll for health insurance during the open enrollment period, let us help you! Our caring, helpful staff will assist you in analyzing your health coverage needs so that we can match you with the best health insurance plan for your unique situation. To learn more about how we can help you find the best health insurance plan, get in touch with us by calling (248) 689-4910 or filling out a contact form!
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