3 Common Mistakes to Avoid During Open Enrollment
3 Common Mistakes to Avoid During Open Enrollment
Open enrollment is your chance to choose health coverage, update your current plan, or switch plans for the coming year.
It can be tempting to select the same plan or focus only on the monthly price. But plans, costs, and health needs can change. Taking time to review your options can help you avoid unexpected expenses and make sure your doctors, prescriptions, and preferred hospitals are covered.
What to know:
- Review your plan even if you are happy with your coverage this year.
- Compare the total cost, not just the monthly premium.
- Check your enrollment deadline early so you have time to review your options.
Mistake 1: Not reviewing your changing health needs
Your current plan may not be the best fit for 2027.
Think about any changes you expect in the coming year. You may be planning to have a baby, managing an ongoing health condition, or taking a new prescription. Check whether your doctors and preferred hospitals are in the plan’s network, whether your prescriptions are covered, and what you will pay for regular appointments, specialists, and medications.
Provider networks and prescription drugs lists can change each year, so review your plan before enrolling. Learn more about the difference between in-network and out-of-network care.
Mistake 2: Looking only at monthly premium
The premium is the amount you pay each month for health insurance, but it is only part of your total healthcare cost.
When comparing plans, look at the monthly premium, deductible, copays, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximum. A plan with a lower premium may cost more when you receive care. If you visit doctors often, take prescription medications, or manage an ongoing condition, a plan with a higher premium and lower out-of-pocket costs may be a better fit.
It is also important to understand what a plan means when it says a service is covered. Covered care is not always free. You may still have to pay a deductible, copay, or coinsurance. Learn more in What Does “Covered” Mean in Health Insurance?.
Before comparing plans, you can also read Deductible vs. Out-of-Pocket Maximum: What Is the Difference?.
Mistake 3: Missing your enrollment deadline
Enrollment periods depend on the type of coverage you have. Mark your calendar with the dates that apply to you and give yourself time to compare plans.
Key enrollment deadlines
- Marketplace (Individual & Family) Coverage: Open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs Nov. 1, 2026, through Jan. 15, 2027.
- Enroll by Dec. 15, 2026, for coverage to begin Jan. 1, 2027.
- Enroll between Dec. 16, 2026, and Jan. 15, 2027, for coverage that begins Feb. 1, 2027.
- Employer-Sponsored Coverage: Enrollment deadlines vary by employer. Contact your Human Resources team for enrollment dates and plan details.
- Medicare: Open enrollment runs Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, with coverage changes taking effect Jan. 1, 2027.
- Medicaid: Individuals who meet eligibility requirements can apply for coverage at any time during the year.
If you miss open enrollment, you may have to wait until the next enrollment period — and be without coverage—unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period because of major life event, such as losing other coverage, getting married, or having a baby.
Choosing health coverage is an important decision. Review your needs, compare the full cost of each plan, and confirm your deadline before enrolling.