Many people can enroll in health insurance at HealthCare.gov, the federal government’s marketplace website. Some states have created their own state-based marketplaces (HealthCare.gov redirects people in those states to their state-based marketplace website).
Generally, people can only enroll in a marketplace plan during the annual open enrollment period, which begins on November 1st each year. It’s important to note that people who are eligible for Medicaid can enroll at any time during the year.
People who experience a qualifying life change, such as getting married or having a child, may be eligible for a special enrollment period that allows them to newly enroll in a plan or switch plans outside of open enrollment.
A new policy in 2022 allows people with low incomes to enroll in a marketplace plan at any time during the year.
Updated August 2023 There is a special enrollment period (SEP) available as of March 2022 that gives people with low income the opportunity to enroll in a marketplace plan outside of open enrollment. This FAQ explains who is eligible for the new SEP, how to access it, and how long…
Updated August 2023 SEPs to Know During the COVID-19 Pandemic Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and the economic crisis that came about as a result, this abbreviated SEP reference chart provides a list of the most common SEPs used during this time. View chart Additional Resources SEP Reference Chart Webinar: Special…
In this Beyond the Basics webinar presented May 4, 2023, Claire Heyison, Senior Policy Analyst for Health Insurance & Marketplace Policy, and Jenny Sullivan, Director of Health Coverage Access, provide an overview of marketplace special enrollment periods (SEPs), including the qualifying events that trigger SEPs, eligibility criteria, and the timing…
Generally, people can only enroll in a marketplace plan or switch plans on HealthCare.gov during the annual open enrollment period. But people who experience certain life events during the year are able to newly enroll in a plan or switch plans outside of open enrollment through a special enrollment period…
People who missed their enrollment window due to COVID-19 can still enroll in marketplace coverage using the “FEMA SEP” for a limited time. This FAQ explains what the FEMA SEP is and how it works. View FAQ Additional Resources SEP Reference Chart Webinar: Special Enrollment Periods Additional SEP Resources
In this Beyond the Basics webinar presented by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities on May 12, 2022, Sarah Lueck provides an overview of special enrollment periods (SEPs), including the qualifying events that trigger a SEP, eligibility criteria for various SEPs, and the timing of coverage effective dates for…
