During the Open Enrollment period, when must consumers expect applications to be processed?

The correct answer is that applications must be processed before the enrollment deadline. During the Open Enrollment period, consumers are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible to ensure that they can be reviewed and processed in time to meet the deadline for coverage. The process involves various checks and verifications to ensure eligibility and to set up the coverage correctly.

This means that applications submitted close to the deadline need to be processed promptly to ensure individuals have their health insurance in place by the start date of the coverage. Ensuring that processing occurs before the enrollment deadline allows consumers to properly secure their insurance plans and avoid any lapse in coverage. Hence, it's crucial that applications are processed beforehand, aligning with the timelines set by the marketplace.