October 28, 2022 3:00 a.m.

The annual open enrollment period for health coverage begins November 1st.

A release from the Oregon Health Authority said open enrollment is the only time when anyone who are not offered coverage from a job or a public program like the Oregon Health Plan or Medicare can enroll in health coverage through the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace, often with financial help.

A release said eligibility rules have changed this year, making health coverage more affordable for thousands of Oregonians. Previously people offered health coverage through a spouse or parent’s employer could not access financial help if the least expensive plan offered to only the employee was considered affordable. New rules allow people who previously were ineligible for financial help through the Marketplace, to apply if that coverage is considered unaffordable to the enrollee.

Chiqui Flowers, director of the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace said nearly 80 percent of Oregonians who applied for financial help qualified in 2022 averaging $483 per month.

The release said sorting through health coverage options can be confusing, but Oregonians should know that there are tools. OregonHealthCare.gov offers a window- shopping tool where users can preview what plans and savings are available to them. The tool allows users to see which plans cover their prescription drugs and are networked with their preferred doctors or hospitals.

Licensed insurance agents and trained community groups can be found: https://healthcare.oregon.gov/Pages/find-help.aspx?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery