Can I switch ACA health insurance coverage between now and Jan 15th?

[evme]

I'm self-employed. I signed up for ACA health insurance for 2025 and already paid my premium for January. I'd like to switch to a different health insurance plan if it is allowed -- does anyone know if I can do this? In my state open enrollment runs until January 15, 2025, but I'm confused about whether I am allowed to switch plans after having already started one? E.g., is the Jan 15th deadline just for people that forgot to sign up for a plan that started Jan 1st but still want one for the rest of the year? Or does it allow me to switch plans until Jan 15th even if I already selected a different plan for January?

[secondcor521]

From Google AI answer for "arizona aca open enrollment period":

"The Affordable Care Act (ACA) open enrollment period in Arizona for 2025 is November 1, 2024 through January 15, 2025.

What can you do during open enrollment?
Enroll in an ACA plan, Change your current plan, and Cancel your plan.

When does coverage begin?
If you enroll by December 15, 2024, your coverage will begin on January 1, 2025
If you enroll by January 15, 2025, your coverage will begin on February 1, 2025"

So it sounds like you can switch plans but coverage wouldn't start until February.  You might talk to the insurance company you already paid to see if they'd refund your January premium.  I doubt they would since they've been covering you for 8 days, but they might.  You also might want to keep the January coverage with the first insurance company since switching and canceling might leave you uninsured for the remainder of January.

[lifeisshort123]

Yes, we are wondering about this as well... We signed up for a high cost plan for January.... but now when February comes around, can we move down to a low cost plan?

[secondcor521]

Yes, we are wondering about this as well... We signed up for a high cost plan for January.... but now when February comes around, can we move down to a low cost plan?

No unless either of the two following things apply:

1.  Your state open enrollment period is still open (OP is in AZ which is open until today), or
2.  You qualify for a special enrollment period for some reason (moved, adopted a child, lost health insurance, etc.)