Open Enrollment (ACA)
The annual November 1 – January 15 window (on the federal Marketplace) during which consumers can enroll in or change ACA Qualified Health Plans.
Full Definition
ACA Open Enrollment is the annual window during which consumers can enroll in or change individual Marketplace health coverage without a qualifying life event. On the federal Marketplace (HealthCare.gov), ACA OEP runs November 1 through January 15; enrollments completed by December 15 take effect January 1, and enrollments between December 16 and January 15 take effect February 1. State-based exchanges set their own windows — California, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and D.C. typically extend through January 31 or later. Outside OEP, consumers can only enroll with a Special Enrollment Period. ACA OEP is the ACA equivalent of Medicare AEP and generates similar lead-pricing spikes.
Example
An ACA lead generating $14 CPL in September costs $32 during OEP week two (November 8–15). Call volume peaks the second week of December around the January 1 effective-date deadline.
Related Terms
- ACA (Affordable Care Act) / Marketplace — U.S. federal law (2010) that created the individual health insurance marketplace, premium subsidies, and the open enrollment framework for under-65 major medical.
- SEP (Special Enrollment Period) — A year-round enrollment window triggered by qualifying life events — loss of coverage, move, marriage, income change — that allows enrollment outside OEP.
- AEP (Annual Enrollment Period) — The October 15 – December 7 annual window during which Medicare beneficiaries can enroll in, switch, or drop Medicare Advantage and Part D plans.
- Under-65 Health Insurance — Health insurance for consumers not yet Medicare-eligible — primarily ACA marketplace plans, short-term medical, and indemnity products.