Can I Get Health Insurance Right Now?

You get your answer on this page. No contact details needed.

What has changed for you recently?

Pick the one that fits best. These are the changes that can open an enrollment window.

How did that coverage end?

This part matters more than people expect. Some reasons open a window and some do not.

When did it happen?

If it has not happened yet, use the date you expect. Planning ahead is usually the better position to be in.

Date of the change

Please choose a date so we can work out your window.

This tool gives general information based on common Special Enrollment Period rules. It is not a determination of eligibility. Rules can vary by state, by plan, and by situation, and some state marketplaces set their own dates and windows. We confirm what actually applies to you before anything is submitted.

What Opens a Special Enrollment Period

Outside of Open Enrollment, you generally need a qualifying life event to enroll in a marketplace plan. Most events give you a 60 day window from the date it happens. Miss that window and you usually wait for the next Open Enrollment.

Events that usually qualify

Losing other coverage. A job ending or hours being cut, COBRA running out, Medicaid or CHIP ending, or aging off a parent’s plan at 26.
Household changes. Marriage, having a baby, adopting, or placing a child in foster care. Divorce or a death in the family can also count when it causes you to lose coverage.
Moving. A move to a new ZIP code or county where different plans are available. A move just across town usually does not count.
Certain income or status changes that change what help you qualify for.

What usually does not qualify

This is where people get caught out, so it is worth being blunt about it. Cancelling your own coverage does not open a window. Neither does losing it because premiums went unpaid. Deciding your current plan is too expensive is not a qualifying event on its own either. Knowing this ahead of time saves you from counting on a window that is not there.

If You Do Not Have a Qualifying Event

You Still Have Options

Not qualifying for a Special Enrollment Period does not mean you have no path to coverage until November. Depending on your situation and state, these may still be open to you:

Private, medically underwritten plans. These are often available year round. They ask health questions, and what you are offered can depend on your answers, but they are not tied to an enrollment window.
Medicaid or CHIP. If your income qualifies, you can apply any time of year. There is no enrollment window for these.
Short term coverage. Built to bridge a gap rather than replace a full plan. Worth understanding the limits before you rely on it.
The next Open Enrollment. In most states this runs from November 1 through mid January, though some state marketplaces run longer.

Which of these makes sense depends on your health, your budget, and how long you need the coverage to last. That is the conversation worth having before you commit to anything.