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

Some employers offer short-term and long-term disability protection during open enrollment. —James Brewer, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024

Don’t forget to finish open enrollment or ask for help if needed. —Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 17 Nov. 2024

Spend more time on open enrollment to avoid regrets Many people spend minimal time choosing benefits, according to multiple surveys. —Cheryl Winokur Munk, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2024

Heads up in Idaho, where open enrollment starts earlier — Oct. 15 — but also ends sooner, closing on Dec. 15. —Kff Health News, The Mercury News, 14 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined at sense 2