Here’s your 2025 Open Enrollment checklist. | Blog | Oscar | hioscar Blog | Oscar
Here’s your 2025 Open Enrollment checklist.
Signing up for a new individual or family health insurance plan for 2025? Here’s what to do this Open Enrollment.
Picking a Plan Oscar Health Insurance
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Open Enrollment is the annual period you and your family can enroll in health insurance plans in the Individual Marketplace. During this time, you can buy health insurance, change plans, add family members, or get financial aid for insurance costs.
Here's (opens in new tab) what you need to do - and when you need to do it - to ensure coverage for 2025.
Open Enrollment 2025 Checklist
OCTOBER 1 – NOVEMBER 1
Review your medical activity and expenses during 2024 , and think about expected medical expenses for next year.
Estimate your household income for 2025 if you think you’ll qualify for tax credits or Medicaid.
Identify your list of must-have doctors, drugs, and medical facilities. Ensure that any potential new plans cover what you need.
Decide who needs to be on your plan.
Consider if it makes financial sense for you and your spouse to get a family plan.
Determine if your children should be on your plan or if they can get coverage from another source, such as school or work.
Gather personal ID numbers (SSN / naturalization # / alien # / visa #) for everyone you want to include on your plan.
Research insurance companies and the plan types they offer (EPO / PPO / HMO / POS).
Choose a metal tier (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum or catastrophic) based on your health and budgetary needs.
NOVEMBER 1 - JANUARY 15
For most states, Open Enrollment begins on November 1. That means you can start enrolling in a health insurance plan as early as November 1. You can sign up in one of 3 ways:
1. Through HealthCare.gov or your state’s Marketplace. This is your best bet if you think you’ll qualify for financial aid.
2. Through a private insurance company, like Oscar.
3. Through an insurance broker.
Choose your HSA contribution amount for 2025 if you have a HSA-compatible plan.
For most states you’ll need to pay by first premium bill by December 15 for coverage to start on January 1, 2025. If you enroll after December 15, you will have until January 15 for coverage beginning on February 1 in most states.
JANUARY 15 - JANUARY 31
Pay your first monthly premium bill on time. If you don’t, your plan won’t be active and your healthcare won’t be covered during the year.
Pay by Jan 15. We'll send your ID card within 10 to 15 days after receiving payment.
If you can, sign up for autopay so you don’t miss future payments and put your coverage at risk.
What happens if I don’t sign up during Open Enrollment?
You can get insurance after Open Enrollment if you experience a major life change. Examples of major life changes include moving, getting married, having a baby, or leaving a job. You’ll have a 60-day Special Enrollment period to choose a new plan.
If you don’t have a qualifying life event, you’ll have to wait until next year’s Open Enrollment to sign up, and your healthcare won’t be covered during 2025 – so be sure to get ready to sign up for a plan!
