It’s never too early to plan for the 2025 open enrollment period. This is the time when families review their healthcare needs, compare options, and decide between ACA Health Insurance Plans and real alternatives, like healthcare sharing ministries.
In this guide, we’ll break down:
- What the open enrollment period is and the 2025 open enrollment dates
- Common terms in traditional insurance vs. healthcare sharing ministries
- FAQs to help your family make informed decisions
- How netWell’s always-open enrollment gives you additional flexibility
What Is Open Enrollment?
Open enrollment is the annual window when you can sign up for or make changes to traditional health insurance plans, like those offered through the ACA Marketplace. Outside of this period, changes to these plans are typically limited to qualifying life events like marriage, job changes, or the birth of a child.
While healthcare sharing ministries, like netWell, are not held to the same open enrollment dates, this is still a great time for people to evaluate their options. Finding real savings in an ever-escalating healthcare landscape can be time-consuming, but the effort is well worth it to find a solution that is both affordable and provides your family with the protection they need from unexpected out-of-pocket medical expenses.
2025 Open Enrollment Dates for 2026 Coverage
- Start: November 1st, 2025
- End: January 15th, 2026
The open enrollment period for this year is a significantly shortened window, especially with the busy holiday season and other end-of-year planning. Getting a head start on your research now will ensure you have the information you need to make the best decision for your family’s health and financial well-being.
Key Terms: Traditional Health Insurance
When exploring traditional insurance, you’ll see terms like:
- Premium: Monthly payment for your plan
- Deductible: What you pay before insurance kicks in
- Copay: Flat fee for doctor visits or prescriptions
- Coinsurance: Percentage of costs you share after the deductible
- Network: Doctors and hospitals your plan contracts with
- Out-of-Pocket Maximum: The most you’ll pay in a year
Key Terms: Healthcare Sharing Ministries (HCSMs)
Health care sharing ministries, like netWell, operate differently:
- Member Commitment Portion (MCP): Similar to a deductible, the amount you commit to before sharing begins
- Sharing Request: A member’s eligible medical expense is shared among the community
- Annual Sharing Limit: Maximum amount that may be shared per member per year
- Pre-Existing Conditions: Conditions may have waiting periods or limitations depending on the membership
- Always-Open Enrollment (with netWell™): Unrestricted enrollment dates; join netWell™ anytime
FAQs: Insurance vs. netWell Healthcare Sharing
Q: Is netWell health insurance?
A: No. netWell is a non-profit healthcare sharing ministry. Members share medical expenses together.
Q: Does netWell cover preventive and routine care?
A: Yes—members have access to primary care, telemedicine, hospitalization, mental health visits, labs, and more.
Q: Can I join netWell during open enrollment?
A: Yes, and unlike insurance, netWell has always-open enrollment, so you can join any time of year.
Q: What if I need dental coverage?
A: netWell offers supplemental dental memberships starting as low as $35/month.
Q: How much does netWell cost?
A: The Elite+ membership starts at $269/month, with flexible MCP options.
Why Families Choose netWell
- Always-Open Enrollment: no need to wait until November
- Affordable monthly contributions compared to traditional insurance premiums
- Wide-ranging benefits, including telemedicine, dental, mental health, and hospital care
- Supportive community built on the values of sharing and caring
Don’t wait for open enrollment deadlines to make decisions about your family’s healthcare. With netWell’s always-open enrollment, you can join today and start sharing medical costs with a supportive community.
