State RegulationsNY specificDifficulty 1/5
Under the Affordable Care Act, when may an individual generally enroll in or change individual exchange health coverage for the coming plan year?
Select an option to reveal the answer and the full 3-part explanation — free, no signup.
Answer & full 3-part explanation (select an option above, or peek)
Why B is correct
Under the Affordable Care Act, individual exchange coverage is bought or changed during a yearly open enrollment period - the annual window when anyone may sign up, switch plans, or drop coverage for the coming plan year. Outside that window, an enrollee generally needs a qualifying life event that triggers a special enrollment period. There is no underwriting gate and no employment requirement standing between the shopper and coverage.
Why the other options are wrong
- A) Year-round unrestricted enrollment does not exist; outside the annual window a qualifying event is needed.
- C) Applications are guaranteed issue, so a declination never opens an enrollment right under the act.
- D) Employer hiring relates to employer coverage; exchange enrollment follows the open enrollment calendar.
Memory hook
Open enrollment is the year's front door; miss it and you need a key event.