As the pandemic continues, health insurance is now more important than ever. In 2022, the penalty for not having health insurance remains the same, but many insurance companies have reduced premiums, and $0 premium plans are available!
If you’re enrolling into health insurance for the first time, or hoping to change plans, you must do so during open enrollment period which starts on November 1, 2021 and ends on January 31, 2022.
Seniors who are 65 years and over who have Medicare or want to change plans will have the chance to do so during the Medicare open enrollment period, which is from October 15 to December 17. There are new plan benefits for 2022 Medicare Advantage HMO plans including $0 premium plans and money back for Part B premiums. Contact KCAL Insurance Agency now to learn more!
Individual Health Insurance Open Enrollment Period (Age 0-64)
November 1, 2021 ~ January 31, 2022
Under the current healthcare law, you can only enroll in individual and family health insurance plans during the open enrollment period. Once the period is over, you will not be able to make any changes to your current health insurance plan. If you’re unsatisfied with your plan, you’ll have to wait until the next open enrollment period. Act now if you want to apply or change your health insurance plan!
- In 2022, you can purchase health insurance from November 1, 2021 to January 31, 2022. If you apply by December 15, your insurance will become effective on January 1, 2022.
- If you are unsatisfied with your current plan, this is the time to make adjustments! You can change carriers or plans anytime from November 1, 2021 to January 31, 2022.
- If you are currently in the process of becoming a citizen, do not have a SSN, green card, or are not a U.S. citizen, then this time period from November 1, 2021 to January 31, 2022 is still your only chance to purchase health insurance!
If you miss open enrollment period, the only way you can still apply for health insurance is if you qualify for special enrollment. If you qualify for special enrollment, then you must apply within 60 days of your qualifying life event, which are shown below:
- Child is born, adopted/placed into adoption, or received/placed into foster care
- Married or entered into a domestic partnership
- Legally separated or divorced
- Loss of employer-sponsored coverage due to termination or reduction in the number of work hours
- Turned 26 and no longer eligible to stay under your parent's plan
- Moved to California from out of state
- Returning from military active duty
- Released from incarceration
Apply for Medicare before and after your 65th birthday
For those turning 65 soon, when you are first eligible for Medicare, you have a seven month period to sign up. This is known as the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). It begins three months before your 65th birthday, including the month you turn 65, and ends three months after you turn 65. At this time, you can apply for Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance).
Medicare Open Enrollment Period (Age 65 and Over)
October 15, 2021 ~ December 7, 2022
Every year from October 15 to December 7, also known as the Medicare Open Enrollment Period, seniors 65 and over can make adjustments to their plan, change plans, cancel plans, and more, during this time period. If you feel that the doctor you’re seeing is inconvenient or discovered that the medication you need is not covered, this is your time to make adjustments!
If you or your parents are over 65 and just immigrated, they cannot receive government benefits quite yet. They have to be in the United States for at least five years to be able to apply. You can sign up during the General Enrollment Period, which is every year from January 1 to March 31. Your coverage becomes effective July 1 of that same year.