Open enrollment begins for ACA Marketplace health insurance plans

Open enrollment for Affordable Care Act Marketplace health insurance began Nov. 1 and goes through Jan. 15, 2024.

Coverage can start Jan. 1 for those who enroll in or change their healthcare plans by Dec. 15. Coverage starts Feb. 1 for those who enroll after Dec. 15.

Unless you qualify for a special enrollment period due to a life event or coverage such as Medicaid based on income, open enrollment is the only time you can enroll in or change plans.

Almost 7% of West Virginians are uninsured. The National Center for Health Statistics found that across the country, 8.4% of people were uninsured in 2022.

Medicaid has been expanded to cover up to 138% of the federal poverty level. Even with an employer health care plan, workers may be eligible for Medicaid. Enrollment for Medicaid is open all the time, and ACA Navigators can help people explore those options as well.

The ACA Navigator program is a free, non-profit group that works over the phone or in-person to help people find health care plans through the Marketplace. ACA Navigators can be contacted on acanavigator.com or at 1-844-982-2737. There are offices in Charleston, Fairmont, Huntington and Martinsburg if something needs to be handled in-person.

Help is also available for those enrolling in Medicare at wvship.org or 1-877-987-4463.