Every fall, something important happens in the world of health coverage — and if you don’t pay attention, you could end up overpaying for your plan or missing out on coverage altogether. We’re talking about Open Enrollment — the window of time when individuals and families can sign up for health insurance or make changes to their existing plans for the coming year.
Whether you’re self-employed, lost coverage after a job change, or just exploring more affordable options, now is the perfect time to get informed and take action.
Open Enrollment is the annual period when individuals can enroll in, renew, or switch health insurance plans through the Marketplace or Georgia Access without needing a special qualifying event. For 2026 coverage, Open Enrollment runs from:
November 1 through January 15
Enroll by December 15 if you want your plan to start on January 1.
If you enroll after December 15 but before January 15, your coverage will begin February 1.
After this window closes, you typically can’t enroll in an individual health plan unless you have a qualifying life event (like losing other coverage, getting married, or having a baby).
Too many people assume Marketplace or individual plans aren’t for them — but the truth is, they’re a great option for many situations. You might benefit from exploring individual coverage if:
You’re self-employed or work as a 1099 contractor.
You lost employer coverage due to a job change or layoff.
You’re paying too much to stay on a spouse’s or parent’s plan.
Your employer doesn’t offer benefits and you want to protect yourself and your family.
Individual plans are designed to give you flexibility and choice — and with the right help, the process doesn’t have to be confusing.
One of the most common mistakes we see is people assuming they won’t qualify for help. The truth is, many individuals and families are eligible for an Advanced Premium Tax Credit (APTC) — a subsidy that can significantly reduce your monthly premium based on your income and household size.
In fact, many of our clients are surprised to find that their coverage costs hundreds of dollars less per month once those tax credits are applied.
Sure, you can shop for plans on your own — but having a licensed agent in your corner makes a huge difference. At Southern Benefit Group, we take the time to understand your unique situation and help you:
Compare plans side-by-side based on cost, network, prescriptions, and coverage.
Make sure you’re not overpaying or missing out on potential tax credits.
Avoid common mistakes like choosing the wrong network or skipping key benefits.
Enroll quickly and confidently — often in 20 minutes or less.
And the best part? There’s no cost to you to work with us. Our services are free, and our only goal is to help you feel confident about your coverage.
Every year, we meet people who waited too long to review their options and either missed the deadline or rushed into a plan that wasn’t a good fit. Don’t let that happen to you.
Whether you’re exploring coverage for the first time or just want to make sure you’re still in the best plan for your needs, now is the time to start the conversation.
If you’re ready to explore your 2026 options, reach out to our team — we’ll walk you through your choices, explain everything in an understandable way, and make sure you’re set up for the year ahead.
We have been helping people and businesses make smart benefits decisions since 2002. Now, we’re proud to bring that same level of care and expertise to the individual side — because you deserve someone in your corner who treats you like more than just a policy number.