People can get sick or hurt at any time. Health insurance helps pay for doctor visits, checkups, and some special care. Without insurance, medical care can cost a lot of money. Insurance also helps you feel safe knowing you are covered in an emergency.

People who live in Maryland may be able to sign up for low-cost health insurance during open enrollment. They can get it through Maryland Health Connection, Medicare, or their job.

What is Open Enrollment?

Open enrollment is a set time each year when you can:

Start a health plan

Stop a health plan

Change your health plan

What Plans Use Open Enrollment?

You will have open enrollment if you get insurance through:

Your job

Medicare

Medicaid

Maryland Health Connection

Important Dates:

Maryland Health Connection plans:

Open enrollment is November 1 through January 15.

Sign up Nov. 1-Dec. 31 → Coverage starts Jan. 1.

Sign up Jan. 1-15 → Coverage starts Feb. 1.

Health insurance through work:

Your job will choose the dates. This usually happens in the fall or when you start employment.

Medicare:

Open Enrollment is October 15 to December 7.

The Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) or when you can first sign-up happens around age 65.