Missed the December 15 Open Enrollment Deadline? Here’s What You Can Still Do
If you didn’t finalize your health insurance plan by December 15, don’t panic—you still have options.
January 15 is Your New Deadline
If you currently have no coverage for 2026, you can still enroll in a new plan with a February 1 effective date. But don’t wait until the last minute—especially with the holidays. My calendar is filling up fast, so get on it now if you want coverage in place next month.
Got Auto-Renewed? You’re Stuck for January—but Can Fix It for February
If you let your 2025 plan auto-renew and just now realized:
- The premium shot up
- Your doctor no longer takes that plan
- Your prescription isn’t covered…
You’re locked in for January, but we can switch you to a better plan starting February 1. Let’s get that fixed ASAP.
Lost Aetna? You Have a Special Enrollment Period
Aetna is no longer on the marketplace in many areas. If you had an Aetna plan, the marketplace likely placed you on a random replacement plan—which may not work for your needs.
✅ Good news: That counts as a loss of coverage, which qualifies you for a Special Enrollment Period through December 31 for a January 1 effective date.
I won’t be working on December 31, so please schedule with me ASAP if you’re in this boat.
Cobra Ending or Job Loss?
If you’re losing employer coverage or Cobra on December 31, you also qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. We can get you set up for January 1 if we act fast.
💬 Final Reminders:
- Double-check that your premium is set for next year.
- Watch out for preemptive insurance cards in the mail—they don’t always match what we selected.
- If you’re confused, reach out! I’m here to help you sort through it.
Don’t delay—let’s make sure you’re covered and not stuck with the wrong plan.
