Health Care Insurance Enrollment

Important Dates

• Open enrollment for health insurance starts November 1, 2024 for the 2025 plan year.
   
• Insurance will be effective January 1, 2025 for applications that are submitted by December 15, 2024. 
   
• Applications submitted between December 16 and January 15 will be effective February 1, 2025.
   
• Applications for healthcare between January 16 and October 31 can only be submitted for qualifying circumstances (see Frequently Asked Questions below for details).
  
   

Weber County Library Resources

The Weber County Library can assist you with insurance through Healthcare.gov, Medicaid, and CHIP. We offer the following assistance:

• Explaining the application process
   
• Help with filling out the application
   
• Comparing health care plans
   
• Looking for cost-saving measures
   
• Translation services for assistance with health insurance
   

You must make an appointment for assistance with your application. Please call one of our libraries to schedule an appointment:

Please bring the following information to your appointment:

1. An estimate of income for 2025 for all members of your household.
2. A list of preferred doctors or clinics you would like to stay with.
3. A list of medications if you want to ensure they are covered.
   
    

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is open enrollment?

Open enrollment is a specific period during which you can sign up for or make changes to your health insurance plan. It’s the only time of year you can enroll in a new plan or make changes to your existing coverage unless you qualify for a special enrollment period due to a life event like marriage, birth of a child, or loss of other coverage.

2. When is the open enrollment period?

The dates for open enrollment can vary depending on the type of insurance. For example, the open enrollment period for the Health Insurance Marketplace typically runs from November 1 to December 15 each year. Employer-sponsored plans and Medicare have their own specific enrollment periods.

3. What happens if I miss the open enrollment period?

If you miss the open enrollment period, you generally cannot make changes to your health insurance plan until the next open enrollment period. However, you may qualify for a special enrollment period if you experience certain life events, such as getting married, having a baby, or losing other health coverage. For 2025, the open enrollment period ends January 15, 2025. From January 16 to October 31, you must qualify for a special enrollment period in order to change your plan.

4. How do I choose the right health plan during open enrollment?

To choose the right health plan, consider factors such as: 

• Your healthcare needs and those of your family
• The costs of premiums, deductibles, copayments, and out-of-pocket maximums
• The network of doctors and hospitals included in the plan
• The coverage for prescription drugs and other services you may need
  
   

Additional Resources

www.healthcare.gov
This is the official site for the Health Insurance Marketplace. It provides detailed information on open enrollment periods, plan options, and how to apply.

Open Enrollment: Opportunity for Consumers to Find More Affordable Health Coverage — and for Policymakers to Consider Additional Improvements (aarp.org)
Their blog and policy sections often feature articles on open enrollment, especially for older adults looking for Medicare and other health insurance options.

CMS.gov - Open Enrollment
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services website offers updates and information on open enrollment for both Medicare and Marketplace plans.

Medicaid.Utah.Gov
This is the official site for Medicaid. It provides detailed information on eligibility and the application process. Medicaid is a state/federal program that pays for medical services for low-income pregnant women, children, individuals who are elderly or have a disability.

CHIP.Utah.Gov
This is the official site for CHIP. The Children's Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, is a state health insurance plan for uninsured Utah kids and teens.