# Open enrollment: picking a health plan without overpaying > Marketplace open enrollment usually runs November 1 to January 15 (enroll by December 15 for January 1 coverage); Medicare runs October 15 to December 7; job plans set their own dates. Check your plan’s change notice for new prices, networks and covered medicines. On the Marketplace, update your expected income, since help amounts can change. Compare total yearly cost, not just the monthly price. Shop on official sites, and use free navigators or SHIP counselors. - URL: https://explained.page/open-enrollment - Language: en - Last checked: 2026-10-29 - Watch the 1-minute animated guide: https://explained.page/watch?start=open-enrollment ## Step by step 1. **It’s open enrollment season.** Once a year you can change health plans. Doing nothing can mean paying more next year. Here’s a quick way to check. 2. **Know your window.** Marketplace plans usually run November 1 to January 15, and enrolling by December 15 starts coverage January 1. Medicare runs October 15 to December 7. Job plans set their own dates. 3. **Check what changed in your plan.** Prices, doctor networks and covered medicines can change every year. Your plan should send a notice of changes. 4. **Marketplace? Update your income.** Help with the monthly price is based on your expected income, and the rules can change year to year. Re-check instead of letting it renew automatically. 5. **Compare the total cost, not just the price.** Add the yearly premiums to what you’d likely pay in deductibles and copays. The cheapest monthly plan isn’t always cheapest overall. 6. **Watch out for look-alike plans.** Very cheap plans sold by phone or ads may not be full health insurance. Shop on HealthCare.gov or your state’s official site. 7. **Get free, unbiased help.** Marketplace navigators and, for Medicare, your state’s SHIP counselors help for free. 8. **Look it up the right way.** Search with your town or state in the words. Pick the official site: it usually ends in .gov. Skip ads and sites that charge for free forms. ## Checklist - Know your enrollment window - Read your plan’s change notice - Check doctors and medicines - Update your income (Marketplace) - Compare total yearly cost - Use official sites and free help ## When it happens - **Marketplace (HealthCare.gov and state sites):** usually November 1 to January 15. Enroll by December 15 for coverage starting January 1. Some states have different dates. - **Medicare:** October 15 to December 7 to change drug or Medicare Advantage plans. A separate Medicare Advantage window runs January 1 to March 31. - **Job plans:** your employer sets the dates, often in the fall. ## Check what changed Your plan sends a notice of changes. Look at the monthly price, deductible, out-of-pocket maximum, whether your doctors and hospitals are still in network, and whether your medicines are still covered. ## Marketplace: update your income Premium help is based on your expected income for the coming year, and the amounts and rules can change. If you let your plan renew automatically, you may miss a cheaper option or the wrong help amount. ## Compare total cost Add up a year of premiums plus likely deductibles and copays. A higher monthly price can cost less overall if you use a lot of care. ## Avoid look-alike plans Some cheap plans sold by phone or online ads aren’t full health insurance and may not cover pre-existing conditions. Shop on official sites. ## Free help Marketplace navigators and, for Medicare, SHIP counselors offer free, unbiased help. ## Common questions ### What if I miss open enrollment? You usually must wait until next year unless you have a qualifying life event, like losing coverage, moving, marriage or a new baby. Medicaid and CHIP accept applications anytime. Source page: https://explained.page/open-enrollment/questions/what-if-i-miss-open-enrollment ### Will my Marketplace plan renew automatically? Often yes, but prices and help amounts may change. Log in and review it. Source page: https://explained.page/open-enrollment/questions/will-my-marketplace-plan-renew-automatically ### When is open enrollment for health insurance? Marketplace plans usually November 1 to January 15, Medicare October 15 to December 7, and job plans on dates your employer sets. Source page: https://explained.page/open-enrollment/questions/when-is-open-enrollment-for-health-insurance ### What should I check during open enrollment? Price changes, deductible and out-of-pocket max, whether your doctors and medicines are still covered, and, on the Marketplace, your income estimate. Source page: https://explained.page/open-enrollment/questions/what-should-i-check-during-open-enrollment ### What happens if I do nothing during open enrollment? Many plans renew automatically, but prices, networks and help amounts can change, so you may pay more than needed. Source page: https://explained.page/open-enrollment/questions/what-happens-if-i-do-nothing-during-open-enrollment ### Can I change plans after open enrollment ends? Usually only with a qualifying life event like losing coverage, moving, marriage or a new baby. Source page: https://explained.page/open-enrollment/questions/can-i-change-plans-after-open-enrollment-ends ### How do I compare health plans? Add a year of premiums to likely deductibles and copays, and check networks and drug coverage. Source page: https://explained.page/open-enrollment/questions/how-do-i-compare-health-plans ### Where can I get free help choosing a plan? Marketplace navigators for HealthCare.gov plans, and SHIP counselors for Medicare. Source page: https://explained.page/open-enrollment/questions/where-can-i-get-free-help-choosing-a-plan ## Official sources - [HealthCare.gov: open enrollment](https://www.healthcare.gov/) - [Medicare.gov: open enrollment](https://www.medicare.gov/) - [SHIP: free Medicare counseling](https://www.shiphelp.org/) To find your local office, search for: - "[your state] health insurance marketplace dates" - "healthcare.gov find local help" --- General information, not legal or professional advice. Rules differ by state. From explained.page (www.explained.page). Life’s stuff, explained simply.