What's New for Open Enrollment 2022

The Importance of Reviewing Your Explanation of Benefits

The Affordable Care Act, sometimes known as Obamacare, was signed into law in 2010. The reforms contained in this bill allow otherwise-uninsured consumers to purchase healthcare coverage through health insurance exchanges run by federal and state governments.



Health insurance marketplaces allow consumers to compare plans offered by participating insurance companies to find the coverage best suited to them. Government subsidies are available for many enrollees to reduce out-of-pocket costs, making policies more accessible and affordable to those who qualify. Since 2014, insurers can’t deny coverage or limit benefits to those with pre-existing conditions any longer.

Actively Manage Your Coverage 

Most current marketplace enrollees are re-enrolled automatically for the following year unless they actively make changes during open enrollment. The Marketplace changes every year, and those who don’t actively choose their yearly plan may either miss out on subsidies and better rates or experience higher rates because their provider raised prices. 

Updating your marketplace application yearly during open enrollment and comparing new coverage options can lower your payments and increase your savings. 

Know Your State’s Open Enrollment Period

Most Americans must purchase or make changes to their health insurance plan during specific periods, known as open enrollment. These time frames vary slightly for federal and state-run marketplaces, but they are generally at the end of each calendar year.

Every year brings changes to the Marketplace, and people make more informed decisions if they are aware of the changes.

Open Enrollment Changes for 2022

Several things changed for this year’s open enrollment season, and these changes may be slightly different for state-run marketplaces and HealthCare.gov states.

New Plans and Premiums

Consumers have more choices this year. Thirty-two more insurance providers are participating in the HealthCare.gov marketplace in 2022, bringing the total to an average of 83 qualified plans to choose from as opposed to the average of 46 plans in 2021.

Premiums in HealthCare.gov states are slightly lower this year, while state-based marketplace premiums may be slightly higher.

Extended Open Enrollment Timeframes

Consumers in HealthCare.gov states can now enroll for coverage from November 1, 2021, until January 15, 2022, increasing the window from six weeks to over 10 weeks. Some state-based marketplaces are extending the open enrollment period even further.

In addition, people with meager income will have more opportunities to enroll in coverage. Monthly enrollment periods will be offered by HealthCare.gov, allowing people with sudden changes in income to register throughout the year.

More State-Run Marketplaces

Kentucky, Maine and New Mexico are implementing state-based marketplaces in 2022, bringing the total to 18 states that entirely run their own programs.

New No Surprises Act Law

“Surprise” medical bills are incurred when a patient has to get care from out-of-network providers. The No Surprises Act, effective beginning January 1, 2022, places new billing rules that healthcare providers, facilities, health insurance companies and group health plans must follow. Air ambulance services, emergency treatment and services performed in in-network facilities by out-of-network providers must now bill patients at in-network rates.

Improved Subsidies

The dollar amount of government premium subsidies increased under the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021. Those higher subsidy amounts remain in effect in 2022, allowing more people to afford health insurance policies.

Changed Legislation

Americans must estimate their yearly income when they apply for insurance coverage through the Marketplace. The premium tax credit can lower insurance premium costs, and the amount of credit received is based on household information and projected income. If your actual income results in too many premium tax credits, you will have to repay them when filing your federal tax return.

Pandemic relief legislation provided a temporary period when taxpayers didn’t have to repay these credits, but the repayment requirement will be back in effect in 2022. Be realistic when you estimate your 2022 income so you don’t wind up owing more in taxes.

The public charge rule governs criteria that immigration officials use when allowing or denying entry into the United States. Recent revisions to those rules placed strict limitations on allowing people who depend on monetary assistance to obtain healthcare coverage. Those more stringent rules were reversed for 2022, removing government-assisted coverage as a reason to deny entry into the country.

Enroll For Coverage

Although the ACA’s goal is for all Americans to have access to affordable health insurance, millions of eligible people aren’t enrolled in healthcare marketplaces. Focused outreach programs are being used to educate potential enrollees. It is hoped that more people will enroll during the 2022 open enrollment period due to extended time frames and more significant subsidies. 

If you or someone you know hasn’t already enrolled, take time to see what options are available.

Contact Us for Assistance

Navigating the health insurance marketplace can be confusing, but we are ready to assist you. For more information about this year’s open enrollment and available plans, contact Sackett & Associates Insurance Services. Call (707) 823-3689 or send a message using our handy online form. We also invite you to subscribe to our newsletter to receive helpful information about insurance-related topics.