Skip to main content

An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know

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.
Already lost coverage
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.
Will lose coverage in the future
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.

Mail

  • 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.
Notice:
If confirmation delays kept you from using your plana fter the coverage start date, you may have to pay premiums for one of more previous months. When you do, medical expenses you had after the start date may be covered. This is called "retroactive" coverage.
  • 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.
Notice:
If you don't have any acceptable documents, you can send a letter explaining why.
Learn more about what to include in the statement.

More answers

Back to top