The open enrollment period for individual and family health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) begins October 1, 2013 and goes through March 31, 2014. Californians will be able to apply for individual and family coverage with no denial for pre-existing medical conditions during this 6 month period. Coverage under these health insurance exchange plans starts no earlier than January 1, 2014.

If you do not enroll during open enrollment period, you will not be assured a health plan will cover you. If you have a qualifying event such as the loss of a job, death of a spouse or birth of a child, you are eligible for special enrollment within 60 days of the event. The following open-enrollment starts October 2014 for coverage beginning in 2015.