If your coverage ended, you may be asked why. We’re asking this because sometimes children have a waiting period between ending employer-sponsored coverage and starting coverage through the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). There may be exceptions to that waiting period, based on the reason that the employer-sponsored coverage ended.

Entering this information will help the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) better understand and improve the health and health care for all Americans. Providing this information won’t impact your eligibility for health coverage, your health plan options, or your costs in any way.

Where you live can affect what health coverage you’re eligible for as well as your eligibility to get help paying for coverage. You must be a resident in the state where you’re applying for coverage.

You’ll be asked to provide income information for each person when completing your application, including your spouse and all tax dependents. If someone has more than one source of income, you’ll report each source separately.

You may be asked if anyone on your application was recently turned down for coverage through your state's agency for Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Note: If you haven't applied for coverage previously and have been denied Medicaid or CHIP by your state agency, don't check the box.

You may also be asked to select the name of anyone on your application who applied for coverage through their state Medicaid or CHIP agency or the Marketplace during a specific period of time or after a qualifying life event.

Medicaid and CHIP programs may be called different names, like “Medical Assistance,” “All Kids,” or “Family Care.” See what they’re called in your state.

See why you should prepare for next Open Enrollment now. Update information, compare plans, changing health insurance plans, re-enroll for next year.

You may get a letter from your state telling you that someone on your application doesn’t qualify for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in your state.

Learn what preventive services for adults — like shots and screenings — are covered by Marketplace insurance

Quickly and easily check if you have minimum essential coverage to avoid fees. See if you're eligible for premium tax credits and other savings. Get next steps.

If you applied for coverage with a paper application or over the phone, your next step is to compare health plans side-by-side, choose a plan, and enroll in health coverage.

When you enroll in Marketplace coverage, you’ll learn if you qualify for a “premium tax credit” that lowers your premium – the amount you pay each month to your insurance plan. The amount of your premium tax credit depends on information including your estimated household income that you put on your Marketplace application for the year.

Generally, if you include an income source on your federal tax return, include it on your Marketplace application. Refer to IRS instructions on income. Exceptions and details for the Marketplace appear below.