The only way to know for sure is to fill out an application starting November 1. But to get a quick idea, select your household size and estimated income.

You can also provide some simple information and get a quick estimate of what plans may cost you for 2021.

"Cost-sharing reductions" lower your out-of-pocket costs for health insurance. If you qualify, you must enroll in a Silver plan to get these extra savings. With Silver, you’ll have a pretty low premium, with a lower deductible and lower costs whenever you go to the doctor or have other medical expenses.

Find out why a Silver plan might be your best choice.

The Marketplace bases savings on your estimated income for the year you want coverage.

• Learn how to make an estimate of your expected income.
• See what counts as income.

Most households include:

• The person applying for coverage
• Their spouse if married
• Anybody they claim as a tax dependent — including those who don't need health coverage. When you apply, you can say who needs coverage and who doesn’t.

Learn more about who to include in your household.

Learn how your deductible, premium, and other costs work together to make up your total health care cost.

You'll get two notices by November 1 — one from the Marketplace, one from your insurance company. Together they explain:

• If your plan is available for 2021, and if it's changing
• How much it will cost in 2021
• How to compare, change, or keep plans

If you don't act by December 15, you'll probably be automatically re-enrolled in your 2020 plan (or a similar one) for 2021.

Automatic enrollment is a good fallback. But the best way to make sure you have a 2021 plan that works for you, with accurate savings, is to log in as soon as November 1, update your information, and view all your options.

If you don’t get your insurance company letter by November 1, contact your insurance company. If you don’t get the Marketplace letter by then, contact the Call Center.

If you don't update your application or change plans by December 15, you'll probably be automatically enrolled in your current plan (or a similar one) for 2021. You can update as soon as November 1.

Automatic enrollment isn't always the best choice. There may be new and more affordable plans available this year. If you don't update your application with any income and household changes you expect for 2021, you could lose your eligibility for savings, or you could wind up owing money when you file 2021 taxes.

Starting November 1, log in to your Marketplace account. You'll see a 2021 application, pre-filled with some of your 2020 information. Update the information, then choose a new plan or renew.

Note: When you enroll or re-enroll in a plan for 2021, you don’t need to take action to cancel your 2020 plan.

If you need to cancel your 2020 plan so it ends before January 1, 2021, you do need to take action.

When and how to end your Marketplace plan depends on your situation and who you're cancelling for. For step-by-step instructions, answer a few questions about why you’re ending coverage.

Important: Don't end your plan until you know for sure when your new coverage begins.

The Open Enrollment Period for 2021 health insurance is Sunday, November 1, 2020, through Tuesday, December 15, 2020.

Until it starts, you can enroll in health insurance for the rest of 2020 only if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. See if you qualify.

You can also apply for Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) any time of year.

If you don't update your application or change plans between November 1 and December 15, you'll probably be automatically re-enrolled in the same plan (or a similar one) for 2021.

Even if you're happy with your plan and don't have any life changes to report (like a move or income changes), you should still take a look at the plans available to you. You might benefit from a change, and you won’t know until you compare.

Get help deciding whether to keep or change your plan (PDF, 200 KB).

You can apply online, by phone, with the help of a trained assister in your community, through an agent/broker, or with a paper application. Learn more.

When you apply, you'll provide details about your household, your income, and any coverage you currently have.

Use our checklist (PDF, 160 KB) to make sure you're ready.

Outside Open Enrollment, you can get health insurance only 2 ways:

• With a Special Enrollment Period. You can qualify if you lose job-based coverage, have a baby, get married, or have certain other life changes. Answer a few quick questions to see if you may qualify.
• Through Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). You can apply any time and can enroll immediately if you're eligible.

If you don’t qualify for either, you can apply for 2021 Marketplace coverage as soon as November 1, 2020, and coverage will start January 1, 2021.

November 1, 2020: Open Enrollment begins.

December 15, 2020: Open Enrollment ends. After December 15, you can still buy a health plan if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

January 1, 2021: Plans sold during Open Enrollment start.

See plans and prices for 2021.

• Get a quick overview of the Marketplace, and see if you're eligible to apply.
• Make sure you have everything you need by using this checklist (PDF, 160 KB).
• Preview 2021 plans and prices before you apply.

If you don’t take the time to get ready before you apply, you may need to log back in or call back several times.

Your savings depend on your expected household income for 2021. To get a quick idea if you’ll save, select your household size and state. We'll tell you if your income's in the saving range. You'll find out exactly how much you'll save when you apply.

Outside Open Enrollment, you can get health insurance only 2 ways:

• With a Special Enrollment Period. You can qualify if you lose job-based coverage, have a baby, get married, or have certain other life changes. Answer a few quick questions to see if you may qualify.
• Through Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). You can apply any time and can enroll immediately if you're eligible.

If you don’t qualify for either, you can apply for 2021 Marketplace coverage as soon as November 1, 2020.

You can upload the documents online, which is the fastest and easiest way to get them processed. Or you can mail copies instead.