Special enrollment opportunities
Send documents to confirm a Special Enrollment Period
When you apply for Marketplace coverage and qualify for a Special Enrollment Period due to a life event, you may be asked to send documents to confirm that you qualify. You must send these documents before you can start using your coverage.
- You’ll find out if you have to provide documents after you submit your application. Details and instructions will be on your Marketplace Eligibility Notice.
- It’s best to pick a plan first and submit your documents afterwards. After you pick a plan, you have 30 days to send the documents.
- Your coverage start date is based on when you pick a plan. But you can’t use your coverage until we confirm your eligibility and you make your first premium payment.
- If your eligibility notice doesn't say you need to submit documents, you don’t have to. Simply pick a plan and enroll.
- Ready to upload now? Follow these steps.
If you lost or will lose health coverage
You must send documents showing the lost coverage and the date it ends.
If you already lost coverage you must:
- Pick a plan within 60 days after date coverage ended.
- Submit documents within 30 days of picking a plan.
Your coverage will start the first day of the month after you pick a plan.
If you will lose coverage in the future you must:
- Pick a plan within 60 days before the date your coverage will end.
- Submit documents within 30 days of picking a plan.
Your coverage will start the first day of the month after your coverage ends and you pick a plan.
How to submit documents
Send the required documents as soon as possible after you pick a plan to prevent a delay in your coverage starting. Get a full list of acceptable documents to confirm loss of coverage.
You can submit documents two ways:
Upload
- This is the fastest way to submit your documents.
- You’ll need to have scanned copies or clear photos of the documents.
- Documents must meet these requirements:
- Accepted formats: .pdf, .jpeg, .jpg, .gif, .xml, .png, .tiff, .bmp
- Maximum file size: 10MB
- File names can’t include special characters like / \ : * ? “ |
- Once you have the documents on your computer, log into HealthCare.gov to upload them. Follow these step-by-step instructions (PDF, 582 KB) or log in now.
- Don't send original documents – send photocopies only.
- Mail documents to:
Health Insurance Marketplace
Attn: Supporting Documentation
465 Industrial Blvd.
London, KY 40750-0001
After you submit your documents
You should get a letter in your HealthCare.gov account within a couple of weeks telling you if we confirmed your Special Enrollment Period.
- If your Special Enrollment Period is confirmed:
- We’ll tell the insurance plan you picked.
- You’ll need to pay your first premium directly to the insurance company — not to the Health Insurance Marketplace®. Your coverage won’t start until you pay your first premium.
- If your Special Enrollment Period can’t be confirmed:
- You’ll get a letter in your Marketplace account explaining why.
- You can upload different documents to confirm.
More answers
Your Special Enrollment Period eligibility has passed. You can’t enroll in a health insurance plan until the next Open Enrollment, unless you qualify for another Special Enrollment Period.
You can submit a letter from a person in your state who can confirm you live in the area. It could be a friend, family member, or caseworker.
This person must confirm their residency by including one of the documents listed here.
First, do whatever you can to get them. Sending the right documents is the best way to start using your coverage as soon as possible.
If you’ve tried everything and still can’t get the documents, you can provide a letter of explanation (PDF, 104 KB) instead. Save the file to your computer, fill out the section related to your life event, and upload it online or mail it in. If you need more room, continue on a blank sheet of paper.
The Marketplace will take your letter of explanation into consideration and let you know if it’s acceptable confirmation.
Yes, but you must pick a plan within 60 days of the event that qualifies you for the Special Enrollment Period.