open enrollment

noun

1

a

chiefly US : the voluntary enrollment of a student in a public school other than the one assigned on the basis of residence

Carnegie Vanguard High would continue to offer open enrollment to students from across the district and would still likely offer transportation to all its students.

—Shelby Webb

b

chiefly US : enrollment on demand as a student in an institution of higher learning irrespective of formal qualifications

Open enrollment, long the hallmark of the community college, may soon be a thing of the past.

—Rick Diguette

2

chiefly US : a period of time during which someone can join something (such as a health insurance plan) as a member or participant : a period of time during which a person can enroll in something

Just one in four people who buy their own insurance or who are uninsured could name the correct deadline (December 15) for open enrollment, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll taken last month.

—Dylan Scott

Examples of open enrollment in a Sentence

Many voters support open enrollment.

the city's open enrollment policy

Employees can sign up for new benefits during open enrollment.

Recent Examples on the Web

With just weeks before the ACA open enrollment deadline on January 15 and a critical election year ahead, Republicans face both political and practical pressures to find a path forward. —Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Nov. 2025

Millions of Americans have already gotten sticker shock as open enrollment for 2026 began earlier this month. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 24 Nov. 2025

Start by shopping early and comparing plans before open enrollment ends. —Evan Moore november 12, Charlotte Observer, 12 Nov. 2025

Drawing out the high-stakes shutdown through October and into the November ACA open enrollment period served two purposes for Democrats, members on both sides of the deal said. —Christian Orozco, NBC news, 12 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined at sense 2