A quick guide to the Health Insurance Marketplace^®

When can you get health insurance?

Important dates

• November 1: Open Enrollment starts for health coverage for the next plan year — first day you can enroll in, re-enroll in, or change health plans through the Marketplace. Coverage can start as soon as January 1.
• December 15: Last day to enroll in or change plans for coverage to start January 1.
• January 1: Coverage starts for those who enroll in or change plans by December 15 and pay their first premium.
• January 15: Open Enrollment ends — last day to enroll in or change health plans for the year. After this date, you can enroll in or change plans only if you qualify for a 
  Special Enrollment Period

  A time outside the yearly Open Enrollment Period when you can sign up for health insurance. You qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you’ve had certain life events, including losing health coverage, moving, getting married, having a baby, or adopting a child, or if your household income is below a certain amount.

  Refer to glossary for more details.

  .
• February 1: Coverage starts for those who enroll in or change plans December 16 through January 15 and pay their first premium.

Still need coverage for the rest of the year?

• A
  Special Enrollment Period

  A time outside the yearly Open Enrollment Period when you can sign up for health insurance. You qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you’ve had certain life events, including losing health coverage, moving, getting married, having a baby, or adopting a child, or if your household income is below a certain amount.

  Refer to glossary for more details.

  due to a recent
  life event

  A change in your situation — like getting married, having a baby, or losing health coverage — that can make you eligible for a Special Enrollment Period, allowing you to enroll in health insurance outside the yearly Open Enrollment Period.

  Refer to glossary for more details.

  , like losing other coverage, moving, getting married, or having a baby.
• Medicaid

  Insurance program that provides free or low-cost health coverage to some low-income people, families and children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Many states have expanded their Medicaid programs to cover all people below certain income levels.

  Refer to glossary for more details.

  , the
  Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

  Insurance program that provides low-cost health coverage to children in families that earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to buy private insurance. In some states, CHIP covers pregnant women.

  Refer to glossary for more details.

  , or based on estimated household income.

Get deadline reminders

• Sign up for emails so you never miss important information.
• You can also download this checklist (PDF, 189 KB) to make sure you have everything you’ll need to apply.