When choosing a plan, it’s a good idea to think about your total health care costs, not just the bill (the premium”) you pay to your insurance company every month.

If you get a notice from the Marketplace saying that you need to submit documents to confirm that you gained a dependent (or became a dependent) in the past 60 days due to an adoption, foster care placement, or court order, like child support, you can upload or mail the Marketplace documents for the dependent person (for example, the newly adopted child). If more than one person on your application recently became a dependent, you only need to submit documents for one of these people.

If you get a notice from the Marketplace saying that you need to submit documents to confirm your marriage, you can upload or mail the Marketplace documents for the person (or people) on your application who got married in the past 60 days. If 2 people on your application got married to each other, you only need to submit one document that shows both of their names.

If you’re not enrolled in coverage through Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) but got a notice saying you may lose financial help for your Marketplace plan because of your enrollment in Medicaid or CHIP, you should immediately report a change to the Marketplace.

This way you can let us know you aren’t enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP.

If we can't verify your identity, we’ll let you know if you need to submit documents to the Marketplace. Learn how to upload documents.

To change your health or dental plan:

After you’ve completed your Marketplace application, you’ll see which types of coverage you’re eligible for. If you’re eligible for Marketplace coverage and continue to enroll in a plan, you have to pay your first premium for your coverage to start.

The Marketplace will send you Form 1095-A, “Health Insurance Marketplace® Statement” for each person covered by a Marketplace plan during the year you’re filing taxes for. Form 1095-A will help you enter information on your tax form about the premium tax credit (also called a subsidy, discount, or savings).

Health insurance is usually a 12-month contract between you and your insurance company. During Open Enrollment (November 1-January 15), be sure to enroll in new health coverage or re-enroll in your current coverage to stay covered for the year ahead.

When you have certain life changes, like a move or a change in income, it’s important to report the change to the agency that provides your health coverage, like the Marketplace or your state Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) agency. This helps make sure you’re getting the right coverage and amount of help paying for it.

When you complete your Marketplace application, your "Eligibility Results" will tell you if you're eligible for any plans, programs, and savings. Here's more information on the programs and savings you may be eligible for, which may appear on your "Eligibility Results"

Where you live can affect what health coverage you’re eligible for. Health coverage programs require people in their programs to be residents in the state where they can get help paying for health coverage.