What is open enrollment?

Open enrollment is the period of time (usually once a year) when you can shop for and enroll in health insurance plans. An open enrollment period is scheduled for individual insurance for October 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014 in California.

When is my coverage effective?

If you have an enrollment date on or before December 15, 2013, your coverage will start January 1, 2014. If you apply between the 1st and 15th of the month, your coverage will start first day of the following month. If you enroll between the 16th and last day of the month. This will be your opportunity to compare new health insurance plans that meet federal standards for health coverage.

Can I apply for individual health insurance outside open enrollment?

There are some special enrollment periods where you can enroll outside of the open enrollment period. These qualified special enrollments include: loss of minimum essential coverage, dependent changes (birth, adoption,etc.), nationality changes, loss of employer sponsored coverage, permanent move, and more.

When is the next open enrollment?

The next open enrollment period is currently scheduled for October 15, 2014- December 7, 2014.

Read more about the individual mandate to buy health insurance