Fact #1 Open Enrollment for 2015 individual health insurance plans begins November 15, 2014. Fact #2: You may apply for coverage outside the dates of Open Enrollment if you have a qualifying event. Fact #3: All individual and small group health insurance plans effective on or after January 1, 2014 must include coverage for 10 essential health benefits — things like preventive care, well visits to the doctor, hospitalization, etc.