Getting a Health Insurance Marketplace® plan: 4 steps
Notice:
Get health coverage now if you qualify for:
- A due to a life event or based on your income.
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.
- Free or low-cost coverage through or the
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.
Check if you qualify.
If you’re new to the
A service that helps people shop for and enroll in health insurance. The federal government operates the Health Insurance Marketplace®, available at HealthCare.gov, for most states. Some states run their own Marketplaces.
Refer to glossary for more details.
, follow these 4 steps to apply and enroll.
Already have an account?Log in to apply.
Before you get started: Get key resources
- Discover what Marketplace plans cover, including treatment for pre-existing medical conditions and other essential health benefits.
- Preview health plans and prices to get an estimate.
1
Create a Marketplace account
- Enter some basic information, like your name, address, and email address to start.
- If your state runs its own Marketplace, we’ll take you there.
Create account
2
Get ready to apply
- Learn how to get ready.
- Use this checklist to gather everything you may need (PDF, 189 KB).
- Find out how to estimate your income for your application.
- Need help with your application? Learn ways to apply for health coverage.
3
Get “Eligibility Results” right away
Submit your application to find out if you qualify for:
- A Marketplace health insurance plan with savings, like the to help pay monthly
A tax credit you can use to lower your monthly insurance payment (called your “premium”) when you enroll in a plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace®. Your tax credit is based on the income estimate and household information you put on your Marketplace application.
Refer to glossary for more details.
, or lowerThe amount you pay for your health insurance every month. In addition to your premium, you usually have to pay other costs for your health care, including a deductible, copayments, and coinsurance. If you have a Marketplace health plan, you may be able to lower your costs with a premium tax credit.
Refer to glossary for more details.
,A fixed amount ($20, for example) you pay for a covered health care service after you've paid your deductible.
Refer to glossary for more details.
, andThe percentage of costs of a covered health care service you pay (20%, for example) after you've paid your deductible.
Refer to glossary for more details.
.The amount you pay for covered health care services before your insurance plan starts to pay. With a $2,000 deductible, for example, you pay the first $2,000 of covered services yourself.
Refer to glossary for more details.
- Free or low-cost coverage through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
- Lower costs — See if you might save before you apply.
4
Enroll in health coverage
- Compare health plans and prices available in your area, and enroll in the one that best meets your needs.
- Learn how to pick a plan. Or, watch the video.
- Need dental coverage too? Discover 2 ways to get it.
- Pay your premium to your insurance company for your coverage to start.
- Ready to apply & enroll? Log in.
How to Choose a Plan in the Health Insurance Marketplace®
After you enroll
- You’ll get a packet in the mail with your new insurance card and more information about your health plan.Start using your coverage.
- If you need tomake changes to your plan, you can do so if you're moving, having a baby, or adopting a child.
- If your income or household changes, update your application as soon as possible. Your coverage options and savings may be impacted.
- If you’re eligible for Medicaid or CHIP, you’ll get information and next steps from your state.
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