The months of November and December are hectic if you deal in health insurance. It is the time of year that most employers are doing their annual open enrollment. It is also the time of year that ACA Marketplace Exchange has it's open enrollment for the upcoming calendar year. You have likely been hit with spam texts telling you these things, though not from us!
The open enrollment period traditionally runs from November 1st to December 15th for health plans to be effective on January 1st. Today being December 16th was supposed to mean that we could take a deep breath and every health policy issued from here out would be effective February 1, 2025. Seems simple enough.
But if you thought you missed your chance to enroll in an ACA health plan, you’re in luck. Open enrollment has been extended by three days, giving you a little extra time to lock in health coverage for 2025. While the deadline has shifted, it is time right now to make sure that your family’s health plan and the finances associated with it are squared away for next year.
Here’s what you need to know about the deadline extension, why it’s so important to act now!
The extended open enrollment period gives Texans until December 18th to sign up for an ACA health plan for 2025 and it will be effective on New Years Day. That’s three extra days to make a decision that will impact your healthcare and budget for the entire year. If you enroll by this deadline, your coverage will begin on January 1st, protecting you from day one of 2025.
But if you miss this extended deadline, the earliest your coverage can begin is February 1st—leaving you uninsured for the entire month of January. Even though you technically have more time, now is the moment to take action. Waiting too long could leave you exposed to financial risk if something unexpected happens early in the new year.
While the extension gives you more flexibility, the clock is still ticking, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Missing the new deadline would leave you and your family without coverage for January—a time of year when sickness and hospitalizations tend to spike. The flu, RSV, and other illnesses run rampant during the winter months, and no one plans on needing an ER visit or hospitalization. But when it happens, the financial impact can be devastating without insurance.
Even a single ER visit for something as simple as a broken arm or a bad case of the flu can cost thousands of dollars. A short hospital stay? That can easily climb into the tens of thousands. Acting now to get your plan in place means you’ll be covered if the unexpected happens, saving your family from financial disaster.
With just a few days left, it’s important to focus on what really matters when comparing health plans. Here are the key things to look at:
If all of this still feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. Picking the right health insurance plan can be confusing, especially when deadlines are looming. That’s where Insurance For Texans comes in. We help Texans sort through their options, calculate the real costs of each plan, and make confident decisions that fit their needs.
Our team understands how HMO and EPO plans work in Texas, what it takes to find the right network, and how to maximize your subsidies to lower monthly premiums. Instead of spending hours trying to figure it out on your own, you can work with us to simplify the process and get the coverage you need before the extended deadline.
This extension is an opportunity, but it’s also the last chance to get ACA coverage that starts on January 1st. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Click the button below to connect with Insurance For Texans and secure your health plan today. Protect your family’s health and finances before the new deadline passes!