Open enrollment for health insurance has set dates every year. Nationwide, it starts on November 1st and ends on January 15th. But some states—like New York and California—give you extra time, allowing you to enroll up until January 31st.
This is your big chance to sign up for health insurance or make changes to your current plan. Miss this window, and you could be stuck with the same plan—or no coverage at all—until the next open enrollment.
For employers, it’s also the time to offer employees health, dental, vision, life insurance, and other optional benefits. So it’s a big deal all around.
What If an Employee Misses the Deadline?
If an employee doesn’t sign up for health insurance during open enrollment, they could be without coverage for the entire year. That also means they might have to pay a penalty when they file their taxes (in states that still have a mandate).
The good news? There are some backup options, depending on their situation.
Other Coverage Options You Can Offer Employees
If someone misses the enrollment deadline, they may still be eligible for these alternatives:
✅ Medicaid
Medicaid enrollment is open year-round, and eligibility is based on income and state rules. It’s designed to help:
- Low-income adults
- Children
- Pregnant women
- Seniors
Employees can apply anytime if they meet the requirements.
✅ Short-Term Health Insurance
These are temporary plans offered by private insurance companies. They’re not ACA-compliant, so:
- They usually don’t cover pre-existing conditions
- They don’t include all essential health benefits
- They’re more of a stopgap than a long-term solution
Still, they’re helpful for those in between jobs or waiting for the next open enrollment.
Also Read: What Coverage do Gig Workers Qualify for?
✅ Young Adult Coverage (Under 26)
Employees under 26 can join a parent’s health plan if it offers dependent coverage. They don’t need to be:
- A student
- Employed
- Or have kids of their own
Just be aware: some plans may require them to enroll during open enrollment, so check the specific rules for your state and provider.
✅ Qualifying Life Events (Special Enrollment)
Certain life changes—called qualifying events—allow employees to enroll in or change their health insurance outside of the regular enrollment period. If any of these happen, they get a Special Enrollment Period:
- Getting married
- Getting divorced (if the divorce causes loss of coverage)
- Death in the family
- Having or adopting a child
- Losing existing health coverage
- Turning 26 and aging out of a parent’s plan
- Becoming a U.S. citizen
- Moving to a new area with different health plans
- Changing jobs
- A big income change that affects eligibility (e.g., moving out of Medicaid eligibility)
- Renewal of a grandfathered health plan
These events open a small window to sign up for new coverage—so it’s important to act quickly if one applies.
Also Read: How do ACA Plans Compare to Short-Term Health Plans?
Final Thoughts
Open enrollment is the main opportunity to sign up for health insurance, and missing it can limit your options for the rest of the year. But if someone does miss the deadline, there are still workarounds—like Medicaid, short-term plans, or qualifying life events.
Encourage your employees to stay informed, plan ahead, and take action during the enrollment window. A little awareness now can save a lot of stress later.
