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Retired? You have health insurance options

Published on June 30, 2016

If you recently retired and aren’t eligible for Medicare yet, you may be able to get health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace®.

Image: { Friends happy about their retiree health insurance}

While retiring from a job alone doesn’t qualify you for a

Special Enrollment Period
, losing health insurance does. If you lost health insurance when you retired, you have 60 days to enroll in a health plan outside Open Enrollment.

When you lose job-based insurance you may be offered COBRA continuation coverage.

  • If you decide not to take COBRA coverage, you can enroll in a Marketplace plan instead.
  • If you’ve already started COBRA coverage, you have different options.

If you have retiree health insurance but want to buy a Marketplace plan instead, you can. But you won’t be able to get

premium tax credits
and other savings in the Marketplace. If you voluntarily drop your retiree health coverage, you don’t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

Apply with a Special Enrollment Period

  • Answer a few quick questions to see if you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period or for Medicaid or CHIP. We’ll tell you your next steps.
  • Already know you qualify? Go to the Start Page and select the third button to start an application.

Note: Losing health coverage isn’t the only life event that qualifies you to enroll in a plan outside the Open Enrollment Period. You may also be eligible if you’ve had other life changes — like getting married, moving, or adopting a child.

More health coverage options for retirees