The Affordable Care Act

Open enrollment is the only time you can enroll in a health plan on the individual market without qualifying for special enrollment.

That means if you want to get cost assistance and avoid the monthly fee in 2018, you’ll need to get covered during open enrollment 2018 (which starts and ends in 2017 in most states).

Short Term Health Insurance

The Affordable Care Act created an annual open enrollment period when anyone can buy major medical health insurance. If you need temporary health coverage outside of open enrollment but you haven’t had a qualifying life event, short-term coverage can be a good option to meet your coverage needs. Short-term coverage can also protect you while you’re waiting for employer-based coverage to begin.