Open Enrollment Period for Health Coverage is Here

Open enrollment periods are used for most types of health insurance. They provide a period each year when you can sign up or make changes to an existing plan. Changes made during open enrollment typically take effect on January 1 of the following year. For instance, if you change your healthcare plan on November 15 during the open enrollment period, your current coverage will continue through December 31, and the new plan coverage will begin the next day. So, what if you don’t sign up for health insurance during open enrollment? In that case, you want to check with your provider to see if they offer a qualifying event. 

Here’s What you Need to Know to Navigate the Open Enrollment Season. 

• Medicare open enrollment runs from October 15, 2022, to December 7, 2022.
• Medicaid is a federal program that helps people with limited income access health coverage. There is no open enrollment period for Medicaid programs, including the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
• Affordable Care Act (ACA) open enrollment runs from November 1, 2022, to January 15, 2023.

Medicare

Medicare is health insurance for people 65 or older. You’re first eligible to sign up for Medicare 3 months before you turn 65. You may be eligible to get Medicare earlier if you have a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or ALS. There are four parts of Medicare.

• Part A (Hospital Insurance)
• Part B (Medical Insurance)
• Part C (Medicare Advantage Plans)
• Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage)

The open enrollment period is from October 15, 2022, to December 7, 2022. During this time, you can join Medicare, choose a Medicare Advantage plan, switch your Medicare coverage, or drop your Medicare plan. You can also add or drop a Medicare drug plan at this time. You can find more information and enroll  HERE.

Medicaid

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides health coverage for those with limited income and resources. Medicaid helps pay for some or all medical bills for many people who cannot afford medical care. It also offers benefits, like nursing home care, personal care services, and assistance paying for Medicare premiums and other costs.

In South Carolina, this program is called Healthy Connections Medicaid. Though most health insurers use some form of open enrollment program to limit sign-ups or changes to a particular time each year, there are exceptions. Medicaid doesn’t limit enrollments to an open enrollment period. If you qualify for Medicaid, you can enroll at any time. If you or someone in your family needs health care, you should apply for Healthy Connections Medicaid coverage even if you are unsure of your eligibility.

Affordable Care Act (ACA)

Marketplace insurance is for people who don’t have health coverage through a job, Medicare, Medicaid, or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). You may be eligible if you live in the U.S. or are a legal citizen, do not have Medicare and are not currently incarcerated.

Insurance can be costly. Millions of uninsured people can access health insurance through the Affordable Care Act; open enrollment is from November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2022.

Here’s What to do to Prepare for Open Enrollment:

• Learn how to apply for coverage
• Find out if you might qualify for savings
• Gather all your needed paperwork before you apply

Available Resources

SC Thrive connects people to crucial benefits from food security, health resources, financial wellness, and more. Everyone deserves access to affordable, quality healthcare coverage and services. You may qualify for Medicaid depending on your household income, family size, and other factors. Start leading a healthier life. For more information on available benefits, call us at 800.726.8774 to apply for Healthy Connections Medicaid, Healthy Connects Prime and more today!