Open enrollment for employer health insurance plans

Open enrollment is the time when you choose your health insurance plan for the year. Let's go over some things to know to help you prepare. 

When to enroll in health insurance through work

If you're choosing a health insurance plan through work, you’re probably thinking about the coverage you’ll need for the year ahead. You’ll also want to make sure you know your employer’s open enrollment deadlines, so you sign up for coverage at the right time.

How long is open enrollment?

The open enrollment period usually lasts a few weeks. While each employer decides when their open enrollment period will be, it typically happens in the fall. Your employer will generally offer open enrollment at the same time each year.

What happens if I miss my employer’s open enrollment period?

If you miss open enrollment, you typically won’t be able to enroll in coverage or make changes to existing coverage until next year’s open enrollment period. The only exception is if you have a qualifying life event — like getting married, getting divorced or having a baby. These life changes may make you eligible to enroll in a plan outside of the open enrollment period.

You may want to consider short term health insurance plans if you miss open enrollment and don’t have a qualifying life event. Short term plans can provide health coverage until your employer’s next open enrollment period.

Can you change insurance after open enrollment?

Typically, no. Any changes to coverage need to happen during the open enrollment period. However, if you have a qualifying life event, you may be eligible to make changes to your coverage through a special enrollment period.

What to do before open enrollment for employer health plans

Beyond knowing your employer’s open enrollment period dates, you’ll also want to do some research. Understanding how plans compare, their costs and the coverage they offer may help you feel more confident choosing the right plan for you.

Review plan documents to understand coverage details

Before you enroll in a health plan, spend some time with these helpful documents:

Summary of benefits: Read the Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) to get an overview of coverage for each plan, including benefits, cost-sharing requirements and coverage limitations and exceptions.

Plan coverage document: Ask your employer for this document that offers a deeper dive into the coverage details for each plan.

Gather documentation and questions

Having certain information handy may help make the enrollment process go smoothly. This includes personal information (like date of birth and home address) for you and any dependents. It’s also a good idea to have a list of any medications you take and the doctors you see, to make sure they’re covered in the plan’s network. Consider your budget, too — which plans best fit your cost and coverage needs?

And remember, it's always OK to ask questions. If you need help understanding plan coverage details or the enrollment process, your employer can likely give you the answers you need.

How do I choose the right health insurance plan from my employer?

Knowing the coverage your plan may offer is a good place to start. Next, consider your own personal situation. We all have different coverage needs. Before you enroll in a plan, think about the care you or your family may need and if your plan will help cover those costs.

Read tips for choosing a health plan through work

Learn about UnitedHealthcare plans through work

Watch a video series to learn about open enrollment

Watch a video series to learn about specialty benefits