If you are a Brazilian living in the United States, you’ve probably heard about Open Enrollment. But do you really know what it is and why it’s so important for your life here?

Open Enrollment 2025 runs from November 1 to December 15, and this may be your only chance of the year to secure a health plan for you and your family.

In this complete guide, I’ll explain everything you need to know so you don’t miss this opportunity.

WHAT IS OPEN ENROLLMENT?

Open Enrollment is the annual period when any eligible person can enroll in a health plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace® or state marketplaces.
 

• During this period, you can:
• Enroll in a new health plan
• Switch your current plan
• Add or remove dependents
• Cancel your current plan

To participate, you must meet the basic eligibility criteria:
 

ELIGIBLE FOR OPEN ENROLLMENT:

• U.S. citizens (by birth or naturalization)
• Permanent residents (Green Card holders)
• People with work visas (H-1B, L-1, H-2A, H-2B, E-1/E-2, O-1, TN, etc.)
• Students (F-1, J-1, M-1)
• Asylees and refugees
• People with Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
• Holders of U-Visa and T-Visa
• People with work authorization (EAD)
• Other temporary legal statuses
   

NOT ELIGIBLE:

• Tourists (B-1/B-2)
• Undocumented immigrants
• DACA recipients (as of August 2025)

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

To enroll, you will need:

• Proof of immigration status
• Proof of income (W-2, 1099, pay stubs)
• Information about your current plan (if any)
• Identification documents for dependents

TYPES OF PLANS AVAILABLE

HMO (Health Maintenance Organization)

• Cheaper
• Must choose a primary care doctor
• Specialist referrals required
• Limited provider network

PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)

• More expensive
• No primary care doctor required
• Direct access to specialists
• Can use out-of-network doctors (higher cost)

EPO (Exclusive Provider Organization)

• Mid-range cost
• No primary care doctor required
• Must use in-network doctors only
• No out-of-network emergency coverage

HDHP (High Deductible Health Plan)

• Lower monthly premium
• High deductible
• Eligible for Health Savings Account (HSA)

COSTS YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND

Premium: Monthly amount you pay for the plan

Deductible: Amount you pay before insurance coverage begins

Copay: Fixed amount per visit or prescription

Coinsurance: Percentage you pay after reaching deductible

Out-of-pocket maximum: Maximum you pay in a year

HOW TO CHOOSE THE IDEAL PLAN

1. Analyze your financial situation

• How much can you afford monthly?
• Do you have savings for emergencies?
   

1. Consider your current health

• Do you have pre-existing conditions?
• Do you take medications regularly?
• Are you planning to have children?
   

1. Check the provider network

• Are your current doctors included?
• Are there good hospitals in your area?

1. Compare total costs

• Don’t just look at the premium
• Calculate deductible + copays + coinsurance

IMPORTANT DEADLINES

• November 1: Open Enrollment begins
• December 15: LAST DAY to enroll
• January 1, 2026: New coverage begins

HOW 2EASY CAN HELP YOU

Choosing a health plan can be confusing, especially when dealing with English terms and a system different from Brazil’s.

2Easy Insurance is here to:

• Explain all terms in Portuguese
• Compare all available plans in your area
• Help you calculate real costs
• Handle all the paperwork
• Provide support throughout the entire process

It’s too easy, it’s 2Easy!

CONCLUSION

Open Enrollment 2025 is your opportunity to protect your family with the right health plan. Don’t wait until the last minute!

Start preparing now:

• Organize your documents
• Review your financial situation
• Research available plans
• Contact 2Easy for specialized assistance

Remember: after December 15, you can only enroll in a plan if you experience a special situation (marriage, childbirth, job loss, etc.).
 

Need help? Call (321) 344-1199 or visit 2Easy Insurance - home ptbr

Your health and your family’s health cannot wait!

This article was written by the 2Easy Insurance team, specialized in insurance for the Brazilian community in the U.S. For more information, visit 2Easy Insurance - home ptbr

Authored by 2Easy Insurance by WMB Digital Marketing

REFERENCES:

Health Insurance Marketplace®. Are you eligible to use the Marketplace?

Health Insurance Marketplace®. Find out what immigration statuses qualify for coverage in the Marketplace. Updated August 25, 2025.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Recent court information for specific immigration statuses. Court order of Dec 9, 2024.

Health Insurance Marketplace®. Coverage for lawfully present immigrants.

USAGov. How to get insurance through the ACA Health Insurance Marketplace. Updated Feb 10, 2025.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Immigration Statuses Eligible for Marketplace Coverage. Available at: https://www.cms.gov/marketplace/technical-assistance-resources/enrolling-new-americans-job-aid.pdf

LEGAL NOTICE: Eligibility information may change due to court decisions or legislative updates. For the most current information about your specific situation, always consult the official Health Insurance Marketplace® website or a licensed insurance specialist.

DISCLAIMER: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice on immigration status. For specific eligibility questions, consult an immigration attorney or insurance specialist.