If a person applies for on-exchange HP before December 15th, when does the plan become effective?

When an individual applies for an on-exchange Health Plan (HP) before December 15th, the plan becomes effective on January 1st of the following year. This timing aligns with the open enrollment period for health insurance plans, which typically allows individuals to enroll or make changes to their health coverage effective at the start of the new year, assuming they apply by the deadline.

Applying before December 15th is crucial because it ensures that coverage starts on January 1st, allowing individuals to avoid any gaps in their health insurance and ensuring they are covered for any medical needs that arise at the beginning of the year.

The choice of February 1st would imply a later starting date, which does not reflect the typical timeline for on-exchange plans starting on the first of the year if enrolled by mid-December. The other options either suggest immediate coverage or a starting date that does not align with the enrollment deadlines for on-exchange plans, reinforcing that January 1st is the correct choice for applications made prior to December 15th.