Health Insurance Open Enrollment Begins Now: What You Need to Know
Amy Barczy
| 3 min read
Amy Barczy is a former brand journalist who authored content at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Prior to her time at Blue Cross from 2019-2024, she was a statewide news reporter for MLive.com. She has a decade of storytelling experience in local news media markets including Lansing, Grand Rapids, Holland, Ann Arbor and Port Huron.
It’s open enrollment time for health insurance. You may hear about this from your employer, or from a commercial on TV or on the radio. But what does this mean for you? Here’s a basic explainer to get you started.
Who
Eligible individuals can purchase health insurance on or off-marketplace. If you’re over 65, you may qualify for Medicare coverage – which has its own enrollment period.
When
The open enrollment window extends from Nov. 1, 2023 through Jan. 15, 2024. During this period, eligible individuals can sign up for 2024 plan year coverage.
What
This is the time when individuals can newly enroll in a plan or make changes to their current health insurance coverage. Selections made from Nov. 1 to Dec. 15 will take effect on Jan. 1, 2024. Enrollments made between Dec. 16 and Jan. 15 will have coverage effective Feb. 1, 2024.
This is the main time to sign up for health insurance. Outside of this open enrollment period, an individual must have a qualifying life event, such as getting married or having a child, to be eligible for a special enrollment period to get coverage.
Where
Individuals can buy health insurance directly from a private insurance company like Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan or Blue Care Network, or from the marketplace at healthcare.gov. Some employers offer health insurance to their employees as a part of their benefit package. If this is available to you, your human resources department may provide you with information about the plan offerings available to you in 2024 and how to enroll or make changes in your selections.
How
Blue Cross and Blue Care Network members can review their current coverage and make changes online through their member account. If it’s your first time logging in, find your ID card and follow these directions:
- Go to bcbsm.com
- Click the Login button at the top of the screen
- Click Register Now and follow the instructions to create your account
If you’re interested in an individual plan or family plan offered by Blue Cross or Blue Care Network, here’s how to learn more:
- Call one of our health plan advisors at 1-855-237-3501 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday
- Visit our website to fill out our secure form and a health plan advisor will contact you
If you’re interested in seeing if you qualify for free or subsidized health insurance, visit healthcare.gov to review the options available to you on the marketplace.
More from MIBluesPerspectives:
- Health Insurance Guide for College Students
- Making Smart Choices During Open Enrollment: The Benefits of an HSA
- Get the Most Out of Your HSA This Year with These Tips
Photo credit: Getty Images
