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It would seem only reasonable that if citizens are mandated to buy health insurance they should have the choice to change it at any time. The once-a-year enrollment period, except when there is a change in your life, should be eliminated .
I have heard no discussion about this feature. Since, next week is when members of congress will be offering amendments to proposed healthcare legislation, I hope progressive members of congress will make this a non-negotiable component of mandated coverage language.
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Interesting thought. My guess had been that the once-a-year enrollment period had been simply copied from the federal government program. New federal employees can join whenever they are hired.
Thereafter, however, they may switch health insurance companies only during “Open Season,” roughly a month and a half near the end of each year.
Open Season works for the feds.
But if everyone could switch insurance companies then, and only then? Imagining the SNAFU possibilities is not hard.
If the Obama administration is going to digitize all medical records, going forward, your observation is less of an issue. But I am not trying to make life easier for insurance companies.
I have a hunch that the insurance companies would fight this vigorously because having predictable income locked in for 12 months is more profitable. I think if Democrats rollover and force individuals to carry insurance — at least give people the right to enter and exit these compulsory contracts, at their discretion.