By RMHP

Health insurance is important to help protect your family and yourself from high medical care costs. The Open Enrollment Period is a 10-week timeframe each year when you can shop for and enroll in individual and family health insurance.

When is Open Enrollment?

The Open Enrollment Period in most states, including Colorado, occurs every year from November 1 through January 15. Some states may offer longer or shorter Open Enrollment Periods. Coverage typically begins January 1, depending on when you enroll.

There are times you may be eligible to apply for health insurance outside of the Open Enrollment Period. You may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period when you experience certain life events, like having a baby, moving to a new city, or losing other medical insurance coverage. In these situations, your coverage typically begins the first of the month after you enroll. You can also apply for Medicaid at any time if you qualify based on your income. Medicaid coverage generally begins on the first day of the month you applied.

Who is Eligible for Open Enrollment?

Nearly everyone can enroll in a health insurance plan during the Open Enrollment Period. To be eligible for Open Enrollment in Colorado, you must:

1. Be lawfully present in the United States.
2. Reside in and/or be a resident of Colorado.
3. Not be incarcerated.

You can still apply for other people in your household who are eligible even if you aren’t eligible for a health insurance plan.

How to Shop and Apply for Health Insurance

You have options to shop for health insurance. One way to go is comparing and shopping for plans from a private insurance carrier, like RMHP. Many insurance companies offer online enrollments, or you can submit a paper application.

You can also shop for plans through a health insurance marketplace. The federal marketplace is through healthcare.gov, but some states use their own. Connect for Health Colorado is our state’s official health insurance marketplace. The website lets you compare available plans in your area from different insurance companies. You may be eligible for financial assistance if you apply for a plan through Connect for Health Colorado. There are two types of financial assistance for which you may qualify:

• Premium tax credits that help lower your monthly premiums.
• Cost-sharing reductions that provide you with savings when you receive care, like when you go to the doctor or pick up a prescription. You must be enrolled in a silver plan to receive these discounts.

You may qualify for premium tax credits or for both premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions, depending on your income range and household size.

How to Prepare for Open Enrollment

There are steps you can take in advance to prepare for Open Enrollment to help make it a more seamless and efficient process:

• Determine your budget and gather any financial information, like your household income, that you may need to qualify for assistance.
• Consider benefits and coverage that are important to you and your family.
• Make a list of any planned medical events, such as having a baby or any major surgeries.
• Find a local broker who can help you navigate your plan options.

We’re here to help. Shop our individual and family plans to find the coverage that’s right for you and your Colorado lifestyle, or contact us with any questions.