On June 20, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule (RIN 0938-AV61) that reduces by two weeks the time period during which individuals can enroll in Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchange-based health insurance plans. The rule also eliminates the ability of people with incomes of less than 150 percent of the federal poverty level to enroll in monthly ACA coverage.
Under the new rule, open enrollment for ACA exchange-based insurance will end on December 31, rather than on January 15.
The 2025 Marketplace Integrity and Affordability Rule also revises the open enrollment period for state exchanges. Starting on January 1, 2027, state exchanges will get new flexibility to determine their specific open enrollment dates between November 1 and December 31, so long as the open enrollment period does not exceed nine weeks.
Prospects: CMS says the new, shorter open enrollment period will encourage year-round coverage, reduce sign-ups when people become sick, and lower individual premiums by an average of about five percent. But opponents of the change say the rule is an attempt to lessen the number of people who enroll in ACA exchange-based insurance.
NAIFA Staff Contact: Mike Hedge – Senior Director – Government Relations, at mhedge@naifa.org