Did You Miss Open Enrollment? It's Not Too Late
You're not stuck waiting until next year.
Here's what you need to know about getting coverage now.
If you're reading this in March, July, or really any month outside of the typical November-to-January open enrollment window, you might be thinking you're out of luck when it comes to health insurance. Maybe you left your job mid-year. Maybe you aged out of your parents' plan. Or maybe you simply forgot about the deadline and are now panicking about going months without coverage.
Here's the good news: You don't have to wait until next year's open enrollment to get health insurance.
The Open Enrollment Trap
Most people think about health insurance the way they think about filing taxes—there's a specific window when you have to do it, and if you miss it, you're just stuck. And for ACA Marketplace plans (the plans you get through Healthcare.gov), that's mostly true. Open enrollment typically runs from November 1 to January 15, and outside of that window, you need a qualifying life event to sign up.
But here's what many people don't realize: Private health insurance doesn't have open enrollment periods.
How Private Health Insurance Works Differently
With private health insurance plans like those offered through Medical Mutual Protect, you can apply and start coverage any time of year. There's no waiting for November. No stress about missing a deadline and then being uninsured for months.
You can apply:
In the middle of summer when you start your own business
In March when you leave your corporate job
In September when you move to a new state
In April, just because you finally got around to it
The application process involves medical underwriting, which means the insurance company reviews your health history to determine eligibility and pricing. While this might sound intimidating, it also means your coverage is tailored to you specifically—and once you're approved, your policy is guaranteed renewable as long as you pay your premiums.
Who Benefits Most from Year-Round Enrollment?
Private health insurance with no enrollment windows is particularly valuable for:
Self-employed professionals and freelancers who don't have the luxury of employer-provided coverage and need flexibility when starting or scaling their business.
People between jobs who need immediate coverage and don't want to pay for expensive COBRA continuation coverage while waiting for open enrollment.
Early retirees under age 65 who need a bridge plan before Medicare kicks in but missed the Marketplace enrollment deadline.
Young adults aging out of their parents' plan on their 26th birthday, which could happen any month of the year.
Anyone who moves mid-year and wants portable coverage that travels with them across state lines.
What About Special Enrollment Periods?
You might be wondering: "But can't I get Marketplace coverage with a special enrollment period if I have a qualifying life event?"
Yes, that's true. Events like losing job-based coverage, getting married, having a baby, or moving to a new state can trigger a 60-day window to enroll in a Marketplace plan. But there are a few catches:
You need to provide documentation proving your qualifying event
You have a limited 60-day window from the event
If you missed that window, you're back to waiting for open enrollment
Not every life change qualifies as a special enrollment event
Private health insurance removes these restrictions entirely. You don't need to prove a life event. You don't have a 60-day countdown clock. You simply apply when you need coverage.
What to Expect When You Apply
Since private plans use medical underwriting, here's what typically happens:
Initial consultation - We discuss your health needs, budget, and coverage goals
Application submission - You complete a health questionnaire
Underwriting review - The insurance company reviews your application (usually takes a few days to a couple weeks)
Plan customization - Once approved, we build your plan with the coverage layers that make sense for you
Coverage starts - Typically on the first of the month following approval
The key difference from Marketplace plans? You're not racing against a deadline. We can take the time to get it right.
Building Your Coverage the Right Way
One of the advantages of private health insurance is the flexibility to customize your coverage. You start with a catastrophic base plan that protects you from major medical expenses—think serious illness or accidents that could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
From there, you can add:
Hospital and surgical coverage
Outpatient care and doctor visits
Preventative care
Dental and vision options
Cancer indemnity policies
You're not stuck with a one-size-fits-all package. We build your plan piece by piece based on what you actually need.
The Real Advantage: Direct Support
Here's something that matters just as much as when you can enroll: what happens after you enroll.
With Marketplace plans, you typically navigate a call center system when you have questions. With private insurance through an independent agent, you get direct access to someone who knows your policy inside and out.
Need to find an in-network specialist? I can help. Confused about a medical bill? Let's figure it out together. Want to adjust your coverage? You have my direct number.
That's the level of service you get when you're not just a policy number in a massive system.
Take the Next Step
If you missed open enrollment—or if you're just now realizing you need coverage—you have options. The question isn't "can I get health insurance right now?" It's "what kind of coverage makes the most sense for my situation?"
That's a conversation worth having, whether it's February, August, or any other month of the year.
Ready to explore your options? Reach out through the contact form and we'll schedule a time to discuss your needs. No pressure, no complicated jargon—just straight talk about getting you covered.
About Cory Gillen: Cory is a licensed health insurance specialist based in Western North Carolina, representing Medical Mutual Protect and providing personalized insurance guidance to individuals, families, and small businesses. No call centers. No runaround. Just direct access to someone who actually cares about you and your coverage.