Open Enrollment for Marketplace Coverage

Individuals can enroll in Marketplace (“Exchange”) coverage at only limited times during the year.  A Marketplace plan can be purchased at the expiration of group health coverage (due to termination of employment or the end of the COBRA period) or during an annual open enrollment period.  The annual open enrollment period for the Exchange is approaching. 

• November 15, 2014. Open Enrollment for the Marketplace begins. Individuals may apply for, keep, or change coverage.
 
• December 15, 2014. For Marketplace coverage to be in place on January 1, 2015, individuals must enroll by December 15. 
• December 31, 2014. Coverage ends for 2014 plans.
• February 15, 2015. This is the last day of the open enrollment period.  If coverage is not purchased by this date, coverage may be purchased only if the individual experiences a special enrollment event. 

While the open enrollment period for the Marketplace does not generally impact employers, some employees may be interested in the timeframes to purchase for Exchange coverage.