Health insurance companies are required to provide you with a 60 day notice of insurance company rates increase. By not actually charging you the higher rate until the the third month of the year, they are in compliance with federal Regulations. They are not liable for your missing the open enrollment of your wife's group health plan, as this is something that is not in their control. Open enrollment periods for Small Business can fall on any month, depending on when that company first enrolled in their health plan. The open enrollment is on the annual anniversary of the original effective date of coverage. It is very possible, and happens quite often, that rate increases notices do not coincide with the open enrollment period of alternative health insurance options through a spouse. You might try contacting the insurance company of your spouse's group health plan to ask if they will accept you outside of open enrollment period, given the circumstances. They likely will not, but it certainly doesn't hurt to ask. - Friday, January 22, 2010 @ 12:11 pm