Duration of Open Enrollment

While it depends on the employer or insurance provider, the annual open enrollment (OE) period typically occurs once a year and lasts for several weeks. Most, if not all, employers and insurance providers will let you know in advance that open enrollment is approaching and provide the specific dates of the open enrollment period. 

For most employer-sponsored health insurance plans, the annual open enrollment period occurs later in the year, typically between October and December. New coverage will start or renew on January 1 of the following year. Some employers may have a different open enrollment period, so it is important to check with your employer to confirm the exact dates. 

When does open enrollment end for employees? 

Just as the beginning of the open enrollment period can vary, so can the end date of open enrollment — it really depends upon the employer or insurance provider. For most employer-sponsored health insurance plans, the open enrollment period usually ends (and begins) in the late fall but can extend until December. Again, some employers may have a different end date for their open enrollment period, so be sure to check with your employer to avoid missing any deadlines. 

How long does open enrollment last? 

The length of open enrollment periods will vary depending on the employer or insurance company, but typically, open enrollment lasts between two and six weeks. Again, the employer or insurance provider usually announces the exact duration of the open enrollment period in advance to ensure their employees have sufficient time to make decisions about coverage. Remember that not all companies have the same enrollment periods (some may be shorter or longer than others). If you’re unsure, ask your employer to confirm the length of the open enrollment period for your plan so you can be prepared.