In Arizona, open enrollment for 2021 health insurance plans ended on December 15, 2020, but the federal government is currently offering a one-time COVID-related enrollment window, which continues through August 15, 2021.
The Biden administration created this enrollment opportunity to address the fact that millions of Americans remain uninsured amid the ongoing pandemic, including millions who would qualify for enough financial assistance in the marketplace that they could obtain some coverage with no monthly premium at all. And people can use the COVID-related enrollment period to access the newly enhanced premium subsidies created by the American Rescue Plan.
Plan selections made during this window will take effect the first of the month after the enrollment is completed. People who are uninsured can enroll in coverage, and people who already have a plan can switch to a different plan during this window. No qualifying event is necessary during the COVID-related enrollment window. But after August 15, a qualifying event will be necessary in order to enroll or make a plan change for 2021 coverage. Qualifying events are necessary both on-exchange and off-exchange if you’re applying for coverage outside of the open enrollment period.
The normal open enrollment period — and in 2021, the COVID-related enrollment period — is an opportunity for individuals and families to sign up for health coverage, or to change an existing policy. It’s also an opportunity for people with non-exchange plans to shop on the exchange to see if a better option might be available. The exchange is the only place where premium subsidies are available, and for 2021, the subsidies are larger and more widely available than normal, as a result of the American Rescue Plan.