Keep or change your insurance plan

A time outside the yearly Open Enrollment Period when you can sign up for health insurance. You qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you’ve had certain life events, including losing health coverage, moving, getting married, having a baby, or adopting a child, or if your household income is below a certain amount. Refer to glossary for more details.

Insurance program that provides free or low-cost health coverage to some low-income people, families and children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Many states have expanded their Medicaid programs to cover all people below certain income levels. Refer to glossary for more details.

Insurance program that provides low-cost health coverage to children in families that earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to buy private insurance. In some states, CHIP covers pregnant women. Refer to glossary for more details.

If you have Marketplace coverage, you can renew, change, or update your plan during Open Enrollment (November 1-January 15). Outside of Open Enrollment, you can change plans if you qualify for a

A time outside the yearly Open Enrollment Period when you can sign up for health insurance. You qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you’ve had certain life events, including losing health coverage, moving, getting married, having a baby, or adopting a child, or if your household income is below a certain amount.

Refer to glossary for more details.

Renew or change plans during Open Enrollment

Update your expected income and household information for the new year on your application, so you get the right amount of savings. Then compare available plans and renew your current plan (if available) or enroll in a different one that meets your needs.

Marketplace savings are based on your expected income for 2024 (not 2023). If you don't update your income and household information:

• You could qualify for more savings than you’re getting now.
• You could qualify for less savings and have to pay money back when you file your federal taxes.

• By December 15: Update your information and enroll in a plan so your coverage with the correct savings starts January 1.

If you don't act by December 15, you may be automatically re-enrolled for January 1 coverage — but you must update your information on your 2024 application to get the right amount of savings.

You'll get letters about your coverage for the new year

By November 1, you should get 2 letters — one from your current insurance company and one from the Marketplace.

• Whether your current plan is available for next year
• Which plan (if any) you're matched with and will be enrolled in if you don't act by December 15
• Any changes in your coverage and cost savings
• If the Marketplace needs documents to confirm information on your application and how to send copies

• For your insurance company letter, contact your plan.
• For your Marketplace letter, contact the Marketplace Call Center.

Compare plans

New, affordable plans may be available. Plans and prices change every year. Your situation may have changed, too. You may find plans with coverage and features that better meet your needs — especially if you had or expect income or household changes.

Update or change plans outside of Open Enrollment

A change in your situation — like getting married, having a baby, or losing health coverage — that can make you eligible for a Special Enrollment Period, allowing you to enroll in health insurance outside the yearly Open Enrollment Period.

Refer to glossary for more details.

(like income or household changes), update your application so you get the right amount of savings and find out if you qualify.

Cancel your health plan any time

You can cancel your Marketplace coverage any time. You may need to do this if you get other health coverage, or for another reason.

• Everyone on the application after your coverage has started. Your coverage can end as soon as the day you cancel, or you can set your Marketplace coverage end date for a later day — like if you know your new coverage will start on the first day of the following month.
• Just some people on the application. In many cases, their coverage will end immediately.

• You may have to wait for the next Open Enrollment Period to enroll again, unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
• There’s significant health and financial benefits of having health coverage — and risks if you don’t. Nobody expects to get sick or hurt. But medical care without insurance is very expensive, so it’s important to have protection if the unexpected happens.
• Health coverage helps you get regular care, including free preventive services, to keep you healthy. Learn about the benefits of health coverage.

More answers: Renew, change, or cancel your plan

What if my plan’s premium or coverage changed, or I don’t like the automatic enrollment plan I’m offered?

You can enroll in a different plan during Open Enrollment. Log into your Marketplace account and update your application. Then, enroll in a plan that meets your needs.

• Enroll by December 15 for coverage to start January 1. Or, enroll by January 15 for coverage to start February 1.
• You must pay your first premium for coverage to start.

If you’re automatically enrolled into a plan during Open Enrollment, that coverage starts on January 1.

• If you don’t want that plan, enroll in a different plan by December 15. If your automatic enrollment coverage started, you can still change plans until the end of Open Enrollment.
• If you don't want Marketplace coverage for next year, you need to log into your Marketplace account to stop coverage (or you'll be automatically enrolled).

Can I change to a health insurance plan outside the Marketplace?

Yes. But the only way to get a premium tax credit and other savings is to buy your plan through the Marketplace.

Plans inside and outside the Marketplace have similar basic features, but some plans outside the Marketplace have different costs and other important details. If you're looking at plans outside the Marketplace, compare them to plans in the Marketplace too.

Why is my premium tax credit different from what I had before?

Your premium tax credit is based on the most current information available about your expected income for the year you want coverage, your household size, and plans available to you. Income information may come from:

• Your 2023 application
• Your 2024 application if you updated it
• Other sources, like the IRS

That's why it's so important to update your application with any expected income and household changes. It's the only way to be sure you'll get the right tax credit and cost savings.

Plan premiums may change too, so even if your income hasn't changed, your premium tax credit can be different.

Why does my Marketplace letter say I won't get a premium tax credit?

There are several possible reasons. Even if you’re told you don't qualify for cost savings, update your application for 2024, and if necessary, take the actions below. You may find out that you do qualify for financial help.

• Updated income information from the IRS may show that you don't qualify for 2024.
• You may need to send us information before you qualify for a 2024 premium tax credit. Your letter will provide instructions and deadline information.
• We may not have a record showing you filed a federal income tax return to

How you find out if you used the right amount of premium tax credit during the year. To reconcile, you compare two amounts: the premium tax credit you used in advance during the year; and the amount of tax credit you qualify for based on your final income. You’ll use IRS Form 8962 to do this. If you used more premium tax credit than you qualify for, you’ll pay the difference with your federal taxes. If you used less, you’ll get the difference as a credit. Refer to glossary for more details.

My health insurance company isn't offering my current plan. What are my options?

If your insurance company letter says they aren't offering your plan or a similar plan for the new year, you'll be matched with an alternate plan. Update your Marketplace application and review all plans available to you. When updating your application, include that you're losing your health coverage on December 31.

You can change plans by January 15 (the end of Open Enrollment), even if you're automatically enrolled.

What happens if I don't choose a plan by December 15?

• Have Marketplace coverage in December, and
• Don’t take any action to choose a plan or stop your coverage by December 15.

We may enroll you in the same plan you have now or a different plan with your same insurance company. If your company isn't offering plans for next year, we'll enroll you in a plan with a different insurance company. This protects you from a gap in coverage.

When does my current plan end?

What are the deadlines to get coverage?

• November 1: Open Enrollment starts.
• December 15: Last day to enroll in or change plans for coverage to start January 1.
• January 1: Coverage starts for those who enroll in or change health plans November 1-December 15 and pay their first premium.
• January 15: Open Enrollment ends. Last day to enroll in or change health plans for the year for coverage to start February 1.
• February 1: Coverage starts for those who enroll in or change health plans December 16 - January 15 and pay their first premium.

A time outside the yearly Open Enrollment Period when you can sign up for health insurance. You qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you’ve had certain life events, including losing health coverage, moving, getting married, having a baby, or adopting a child, or if your household income is below a certain amount.

Refer to glossary for more details.

How do I complete my enrollment and pay my first premium?

Once you’re enrolled in a plan, you’ll pay your first premium to the insurance company. Insurance companies handle payments differently. Follow the instructions from your insurance company about how and when to make your payment. You may be able to pay online.