When Can I Enroll in Health Insurance Coverage through the
Marketplace?
You can enroll in a Marketplace health insurance plan during the annual Marketplace Open Enrollment Period. Open
Enrollment varies by state but generally starts November 1 and continues through at least December 15.
Outside the annual Open Enrollment Period, you can sign up for health insurance if you qualify for a Special Enrollment
Period. In general, you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you’ve had certain qualifying life events, such as getting
married, having a baby, adopting a child, or losing eligibility for other health coverage. Depending on your Special
Enrollment Period type, you may have 60 days before or 60 days following the qualifying life event to enroll in a
Marketplace plan.
There is also a Marketplace Special Enrollment Period for individuals and their families who lose eligibility for Medicaid or
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage on or after March 31, 2023, through July 31, 2024. Since the onset of
the nationwide COVID-19 public health emergency, state Medicaid and CHIP agencies generally have not terminated the
enrollment of any Medicaid or CHIP beneficiary who was enrolled on or after March 18, 2020, through March 31, 2023. As
state Medicaid and CHIP agencies resume regular eligibility and enrollment practices, many individuals may no longer be
eligible for Medicaid or CHIP coverage starting as early as March 31, 2023. The U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services
is offering a temporary Marketplace Special Enrollment period to allow these individuals to enroll in
Marketplace coverage.
Marketplace-eligible individuals who live in states served by HealthCare.gov and either- submit a new application or update
an existing application on HealthCare.gov between March 31, 2023 and July 31, 2024, and attest to a termination date of
Medicaid or CHIP coverage within the same time period, are eligible for a 60-day Special Enrollment Period.
That means
that if you lose Medicaid or CHIP coverage between March 31, 2023, and July 31, 2024, you may be able to enroll in
Marketplace coverage within 60 days of when you lost Medicaid or CHIP coverage.
In addition, if you or your family
members are enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP coverage, it is important to make sure that your contact information is up to date
to make sure you get any information about changes to your eligibility. To learn more, visit HealthCare.gov or call the
Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596. TTY users can call 1-855-889-4325.
What about Alternatives to Marketplace Health Insurance
Coverage?
If you or your family are eligible for coverage in an employment-based health plan (such as an employer-sponsored health
plan), you or your family may also be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period to enroll in that health plan in certain
circumstances, including if you or your dependents were enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP coverage and lost that coverage.
Generally, you have 60 days after the loss of Medicaid or CHIP coverage to enroll in an employment-based health plan, but
if you and your family lost eligibility for Medicaid or CHIP coverage between March 31, 2023 and July 10, 2023, you can
request this special enrollment in the employment-based health plan through September 8, 2023. Confirm the deadline
with your employer or your employment-based health plan.
Alternatively, you can enroll in Medicaid or CHIP coverage at any time by filling out an application through the Marketplace
or applying directly through your state Medicaid agency. Visit https://www.healthcare.gov/medicaid-chip/getting-
medicaid-chip/ for more details.
How Can I Get More Information?
For more information about your coverage offered through your employment, please check your health plan’s summary
plan description or contact
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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The Marketplace can help you evaluate your coverage options, including your eligibility for coverage through the
Marketplace and its cost. Please visit
HealthCare.gov
for more information, including an online application for health
insurance coverage and contact information for a Health Insurance Marketplace in your area.