Most types of health insurance limit when participants may enroll or make changes to their coverage. During most of the year, changes and additions are restricted to major life events such as losing a job, getting married or having a child.

Open enrollment, or annual enrollment, is a period of time each year when any participant may change their existing coverage. The timing of the open enrollment period will depend on the type of health insurance and the source of insurance. If your insurance is provided by your employer, your employer should provide information about your open enrollment period. If you are covered by Medicare or purchase health insurance through a state or federal insurance marketplace, your open enrollment period will begin in October or November.

No matter what type of health insurance you have, your open enrollment period can be a valuable opportunity to review your health insurance options and prepare for any anticipated changes to your coverage or for your coverage needs. The Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) website features a video that provides guidelines for choosing insurance coverage.

In addition, many pulmonary hypertension medical teams have a staff person who is knowledgeable about the pros and cons of different insurance types. Consider asking your nurse or doctor if there is someone available to help you determine what you are eligible for and which health insurance plan might work best for you.

Open Enrollment Dates to Know

Medicare Annual Enrollment Period
Oct. 15 – Dec. 7
Make changes to your Medicare coverage for 2019. Learn more at www.Medicare.gov

Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) Disenrollment Period
Jan. 1 – March 31, 2019
Switch to a new Medicare Advantage plan once during this period or disenroll from Medicare Advantage and return to original Medicare (Medicare Parts A and B). Learn more at www.Medicare.gov

Health Insurance Marketplace Annual Enrollment Period
Nov. 1 – Dec. 15
Buy or renew private insurance coverage through the marketplace health insurance exchanges. Learn more at www.Healthcare.gov