What Openly Insurance Is
Openly is a health insurance marketplace that sells plans directly to individuals and families, rather than through an employer. It operates as a licensed insurance broker and agent, meaning it helps you compare and purchase coverage from multiple carriers — it does not create its own insurance product. Openly focuses on people who buy their own health insurance, including self-employed workers, freelancers, and those between jobs.
The company makes money when you purchase a plan through its platform, not by charging you a separate fee. This means the cost to you is the same whether you buy directly from an insurer or through Openly — the monthly premium you pay goes to the insurance company, not to Openly.
Openly operates in select states and has partnerships with major insurers in those regions. The plans available to you depend on where you live, your age, and your household income. Not every state or every plan type is available through Openly yet.
Key Takeaways
- Openly is a broker that lets you compare health plans from multiple insurers in one place, rather than visiting each company's website separately.
- You pay the same premium whether you buy through Openly or directly from the insurance company — Openly does not charge you a fee.
- Openly operates only in certain states, so availability depends on your location and the insurers that partner with the platform in your area.
- If you earn below certain income thresholds, you may be able to reduce your monthly premium through federal tax credits, which Openly can help you understand.
- Openly does not sell supplemental insurance, dental, vision, or life insurance — only major medical health plans.
How to Use Openly to Compare Plans
You start by entering your zip code, age, and household income on Openly's website. The platform then shows you the plans available in your area from the insurers it works with. Each plan displays the monthly premium, deductible, copays for doctor visits, and out-of-pocket maximum — the most you would pay in a year for covered services.
Openly groups plans by metal tier: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Bronze plans have the lowest monthly premium but the highest out-of-pocket costs when you use care. Platinum plans cost more per month but cover more of your medical expenses when you need them. Silver plans sit in the middle and are often the best value for people who receive federal tax credits based on income.
You can filter by doctor network, prescription drug coverage, and other features. Openly's comparison tool shows side-by-side details so you can see exactly how two plans differ in cost and coverage before you choose.
Tax Credits and How They Reduce Your Premium
If your household income falls between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty line, you may be able to lower your monthly premium through an Advanced Premium Tax Credit (APTC). This is a federal subsidy that reduces what you pay each month. Openly can estimate your credit based on the income you provide during the comparison process.
The amount of your credit depends on your income, family size, and the second-lowest-cost Silver plan in your area. If you choose a plan that costs less than that benchmark, you keep the difference. If you choose one that costs more, you pay the extra amount yourself.
You must report your actual income when you enroll. If your income changes during the year — you earn more, lose a job, or have a major life event — you should update your information with the marketplace so your credit stays accurate. Receiving too large a credit and then owing money back at tax time is a common problem when income changes are not reported.
What Plans Cover and What They Do Not
All major medical plans sold through Openly cover the same ten essential health benefits required by federal law: doctor visits, hospital stays, emergency care, prescription drugs, mental health and substance use treatment, maternity and newborn care, preventive care, pediatric care, laboratory services, and rehabilitation services. The difference between plans is how much you pay out of pocket for each service.
Openly does not sell dental, vision, or hearing insurance. If you need those coverages, you must purchase them separately from another provider. Some insurers offer bundled packages that include medical and dental, but you would need to check with the carrier directly or look at a separate dental marketplace.
Openly also does not sell short-term health plans, accident insurance, or supplemental coverage. It focuses only on comprehensive major medical plans that meet the Affordable Care Act standard.
Enrollment Periods and When You Can Buy
You can purchase a plan through Openly during the Open Enrollment Period, which runs from November 1 to January 15 each year. Coverage purchased during this window typically starts on January 1 of the following year, though some plans may have different start dates depending on when you enroll.
If you experience a may have access to life event — such as losing employer coverage, getting married, having a child, or moving to a new state — you may be able to buy outside the Open Enrollment Period. Openly can tell you whether your situation qualifies and help you understand the timeline for coverage to begin.
If you miss Open Enrollment and do not have a may have access to event, you cannot purchase coverage until the next Open Enrollment Period begins. This is why many people set a reminder in October to review their options before the window closes.
How Openly Differs From the Government Marketplace
The federal government runs Healthcare.gov, which is the official marketplace in most states. Some states run their own marketplaces. Openly is a private broker that partners with insurers but is not the government marketplace itself.
The plans available through Openly are the same plans available through the government marketplace — Openly does not have exclusive coverage. The main difference is the user experience: Openly's interface is designed to be simpler and faster than Healthcare.gov, and Openly's customer service team can answer questions about plans and enrollment.
You do not have to use Openly to buy health insurance. You can go directly to Healthcare.gov or your state's marketplace, or you can contact insurers directly. The premium you pay and the coverage you receive will be identical regardless of which route you choose.
Customer Service and After-Purchase Support
Openly offers customer support by phone and email to help you choose a plan and understand your coverage. Once you enroll, Openly can answer questions about how your plan works, but the insurance company itself handles claims, billing, and coverage decisions.
If you have a problem with your claim or your coverage, you contact the insurance company directly — not Openly. Openly can help you understand what your plan covers and why a claim might have been denied, but the insurer makes the final decision.
Openly also provides resources about how health insurance works, what to expect at the doctor, and how to use your benefits. These are educational materials, not personalized information about which plan is best for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Openly charge me a fee to use its platform?
No. Openly does not charge you anything to compare or purchase plans. You pay only the monthly premium to the insurance company. Openly receives a commission from the insurer when you enroll, but that does not increase your cost.
Can I use Openly if I am self-employed or a freelancer?
Yes. Openly is designed for people who do not have employer-sponsored insurance, including self-employed workers. You will need to provide your expected household income for the year so the platform can show you any federal tax credits you may receive.
What happens if my income changes after I enroll?
You should report the change to the marketplace as soon as possible. Your federal tax credit is based on your expected annual income, and if your actual income is higher, you may owe money back when you file taxes. If your income drops, you may be able to increase your credit and lower your monthly premium.
Is Openly available in my state?
Openly operates in select states and continues to expand. You can check availability by entering your zip code on Openly's website. If Openly is not available in your area, you can purchase plans directly through Healthcare.gov or your state's health insurance marketplace.
Can I switch plans after I enroll?
You can change plans during the annual Open Enrollment Period or if you experience a may have access to life event. Outside those windows, you are locked into your current plan for the rest of the year. Some life events, such as losing coverage or moving, allow you to switch when ready.