This article outlines key dates and deadlines for getting health coverage during this year's annual open enrollment period and for avoiding the individual mandate penalty in 2015.
2015 Open Enrollment Dates and Deadlines
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November 15, 2014: Open enrollment began for individual health insurance (i.e. Qualified Health Plans).
- December 15, 2014: Deadline to apply if you would like coverage to start by January 1, 2015.
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January 1, 2015: Earliest coverage date for plans purchased during the 2015 open enrollment period.
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February 15, 2015: Open enrollment ends. If you miss this date, you will have to wait until fall of 2015 to enroll, unless you have a qualifying life event such as a marriage, birth of a child, significant income change, or loss of job-based health insurance. Then, you can enroll during a special enrollment period.
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October 15, 2015 - December 7, 2015: Open enrollment period for 2016 coverage (subject to change).
| Enrollment Period: | From: |
|
2015 Open Enrollment Period (for coverage in 2015) |
November 15, 2014 to February 15, 2015 |
|
Special Enrollment Period (after a qualifying event) |
Generally 60 days from qualifying life event |
See this chart for open enrollment periods, 2015 - 2020.
Read more about your options if you miss open enrollment.
