In order to get an Obamacare Plan, you must sign up during Open Enrollment. If you missed Open Enrollment, you can still get an Obamacare plan during Special Enrollment.
Open Enrollment Period
The Open Enrollment Period is November 1 to January 15. Most Americans sign up for an Obamacare plan during this time.
If you previously signed up for coverage, you must re-enroll during Open Enrollment, even if you want to keep the same plan. For those happy with their current plan, Open Enrollment is also a good time to make updates to your plan, such as adding or removing dependents.
Special Enrollment Period
The Special Enrollment Period allows you to purchase an Obamacare plan, or make changes to an existing one, after the Open Enrollment deadline.
To qualify for the Special Enrollment Period, you must have experienced certain life changes. Such changes are known as “qualifying life events.” You likely have a qualifying life event, if you:
- Lost your health coverage in the past 60 days or expect to lose it in the next 60 days.
- Got a divorce.
- Got married.
- Had a baby.
- Adopted a child or are a new foster parent.
- Moved outside your current plan’s service area.
- Had a death in your household.
- Had a change in household income.
- Became a U.S. citizen.
- Were hospitalized for a prolonged illness.
- Suffered a temporary cognitive disability.
- Were released from a prison or a detention facility.
- Were a victim of a natural disaster.
- Experienced an error made by an insurer, insurance agent, or government entity during your enrollment.
The Special Enrollment Period typically lasts for 60 days, beginning on the first day of your qualifying life event. In certain cases, as with losing health coverage, it is possible to enroll up to 60 days before the event occurs.