When is Open Enrollment for Health Insurance?


Open enrollment is a window of time when you can sign up for health insurance, make changes to your current plan or cancel your plan altogether. Open enrollment periods happen once a year and usually start in the fall.

As you’re shopping for coverage, get to know the open enrollment dates for different types of health insurance plans. When you’re ready to enroll, we’re ready to help.

Individual & Family Plans

Shop for Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace plans, commonly known as Obamacare, if you’re self-employed, don’t get health insurance through an employer or Medicare, or if you’re looking for a new plan after losing Medicaid coverage.

In North Dakota and South Dakota, open enrollment is November 1 through January 15.

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Medicare Advantage Plans

If you’re age 65 or older, or qualify for Medicare, explore Medicare Advantage plans, also known as Medicare Part C. Align powered by Sanford Health Plan is an all-in-one Medicare Advantage plan option that includes Medicare Parts A and B plus extra benefits to care for the whole you.

Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans have an Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) for new Medicare members. The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is October 15 through December 7.

Learn More About Medicare Advantage

Employer Plans for Small and Large Businesses

Looking for the right health insurance for your employees? Our employer plans integrate coverage, care and service. We provide simple, affordable health coverage solutions for both small and large employers throughout all of North Dakota and South Dakota, and in select counties in Iowa and Minnesota.

After purchasing an employer health plan, your business sets the open enrollment period.

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Featured Member Testimonial

"Sanford Health Plan was very responsive, helpful and interested in me and what I needed. I felt like they were on my side."
– Brad G.

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