If you don't have health insurance through a job, Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or another source that provides qualifying health coverage, you can find coverage through the Marketplace.
Who can get Marketplace coverage?
1. Open Enrollment is November 1-January 15
- Enroll by December 15 for coverage that starts January 1
- Enroll by January 15 for coverage that starts February 1
2. Outside the yearly Open Enrollment, you can get coverage or change plans only if you:
- Have a life change or income that qualifies for a Special Enrollment Period.
Qualify for Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). You can enroll any time of year and coverage can start immediately. Learn more about these programs.
3. Most people qualify for savings
Depending on your expected household income for the year, you may qualify for:
- Lower costs for your Marketplace plan, like the premium tax credit that lowers your monthly plan premium, and for extra savings on out-of-pocket costs like deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.
- Coverage through Medicaid or CHIP. Your children may qualify for CHIP, even if you don't qualify for Medicaid.
4. All Marketplace plans cover:
- 10 essential health benefits, including prescription drugs, emergency services, hospitalization, laboratory services, and mental health and substance use disorder services
- Free preventive health services at no cost to you when delivered by a doctor or provider in your plan's network
- Coverage for pre-existing conditions
5. You can apply for coverage several ways
Apply any way that works for you:
- Online
- By phone
- With the help of someone in your community
- Through an agent/ broker
- Through certified enrollment partner websites
- With a paper application
Use this checklist to gather what you’ll need to complete your application (PDF, 163 KB).
6. Don't forget to pay your monthly premium
When you have Marketplace insurance, you'll pay your monthly premiums directly to the insurance company — not to the Marketplace. Your coverage won't start until you pay your first premium. Get more information on completing your enrollment.