Open Enrollment is the once-a-year window to buy or change an ACA Marketplace plan without needing a special reason. Here is how the dates work and what to do if you miss them.
The window: November 1 – January 15
In most states, including Georgia and the other states Enroll America serves, Open Enrollment for the coming plan year runs from November 1 through January 15. Some state-run marketplaces set their own dates, so an agent confirms the exact window for your state when you call.
Why December 15 matters
The deadline is January 15, but the date you enroll affects when coverage begins:
- Enroll by December 15 → coverage generally starts January 1.
- Enroll December 16 – January 15 → coverage generally starts February 1.
If you want to avoid a gap on January 1, aim for mid-December.
What happens if you miss January 15
After Open Enrollment closes, you generally need a qualifying life event to enroll. Common examples:
- Losing other health coverage (a job ends, you age off a parent's plan, Medicaid ends)
- Moving to a new ZIP code or county
- Getting married or divorced
- Having or adopting a baby
- Changes in household income that affect eligibility for help
A qualifying event usually opens a 60-day Special Enrollment Period. Documentation may be requested.
What to have ready
- ZIP code and the names and dates of birth of everyone in the household who needs coverage
- An estimate of household income for the coverage year
- Doctors and prescriptions you want covered
- Details of any current coverage
Where Georgia residents enroll
Georgia residents enroll through Georgia Access, the state's official marketplace. Enroll America is a Georgia Access certified agency. Residents of other states we serve generally enroll through HealthCare.gov or their state's official marketplace.
Get help before the deadline
A licensed Enroll America agent checks your eligibility for financial help, compares plans with your doctors and prescriptions in mind, and completes the enrollment with you on the phone, in English or Spanish. There is no charge to call: (877) 479-6279.
Enroll America Inc is an independent licensed health insurance agency and is not affiliated with a government agency. Dates reflect federal Marketplace rules; your state may differ. Sources: HealthCare.gov.
Not sure which program you qualify for?
That is the most common question we get. A two-minute call usually answers it.