ACA health insurance
Lost your health coverage? You usually have 60 days to enroll
Losing qualifying health coverage generally opens a special enrollment period: 60 days before and 60 days after the loss to pick a marketplace plan. Do not wait until day 60.
What usually counts
- Losing job-based coverage, including when a job ends or hours drop.
- Aging off a parent's plan at 26.
- Losing Medicaid or CHIP.
- Losing coverage because a plan ends or leaves your area.
What does not
Losing coverage because you stopped paying premiums generally does not qualify. Keep the letter or notice that shows the date your coverage ended, since the marketplace may ask for it.
Have this ready when you call
- The date your coverage ends or ended
- The letter showing it
- Household and income details
Common questions
When does the new plan start?
If you sign up before your coverage ends, the new plan can start the day after. If you sign up after, it generally starts the first of the following month.
Can I use COBRA instead?
Yes, but compare the cost with marketplace plans, which can cost less after savings.
Related answers
Rather talk it through?
Call 855-367-1095 and a licensed agent will go through your situation with you. There is no charge to ask, and no obligation to enroll.
- Licensed insurance help
- No guaranteed eligibility, pricing, or availability
- Educational starting point
Information on this site is educational and does not guarantee eligibility, enrollment, pricing, or availability. It is not a recommendation to buy any specific plan or policy.