When to enroll
You can shop for and enroll in an Individual & Family Affordable Care Act (ACA) health plan during the annual Open Enrollment Period, which runs from early November to mid-December. For health coverage needs outside of the Open Enrollment Period, you may still sign up for an ACA health plan for you and your family if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
What to line up before you sign up
You’ll need to gather some info about yourself and others who’ll be on the plan with you before you sign up for any health plan.
Personal information
Your enrollment application will ask for some basic information. It’s a good idea to gather documents like your latest W-2 tax form, pay stubs and immigration documents, if applicable.
- Name, birthdate and address
- Marital status
- Social security number (SSN)
- Immigration documents
- Tax filing status
- Employer and income
Your family members’ information
- Names and birthdates
- SSN
- Income info
- Mailing address of each member
- Immigration documents
- Health coverage information
Special Enrollment Period explained
Life can change quickly. If you’ve experienced a qualifying life event and need health insurance, you can enroll in a health plan during a Special Enrollment Period.
You may qualify if, during the past 60 days, you’ve gotten married, had a child, moved, lost coverage due to divorce or job change, or if someone on your plan has died.
If you experienced any of the following, you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
It’s important to note that if you voluntarily quit your health plan or were terminated because you didn’t pay your premiums, you are not eligible for a Special Enrollment Period.
- Federal Poverty Level (FPL) of less
than or equal to 150% - Losing your health coverage through
a life event - Getting married or divorced
- Having or adopting a child
- Permanently moving somewhere with
different health insurance options - Aging off your parent’s health insurance plan
- Losing your job, losing your Medicaid or
CHIP eligibility, or expiring COBRA coverage - Having a change in income or household
status that changes your eligibility for tax
credits or cost-sharing reductions - Your plan being involuntarily canceled by
your insurance company - Depending on where you live COVID-19
can impact your eligibility
