People with coverage through a job
If you lose job-based health insurance
If you lose job-based health insurance, you have 2 main options:
- Enroll in aplan through the Health Insurance Marketplace®
- Sign up for COBRA coverage
Option 1: Enroll in a Marketplace plan
If you leave your job for any reason (even if you quit or get fired) and lose your job-based health insurance, you can enroll in a Marketplace plan. You’ll qualify for a Special Enrollment Period to enroll to get coverage for the rest of the year.
For this Special Enrollment Period, you need to apply for Marketplace coverage within 60 days of losing your job-based coverage. Your coverage can start the first day of the month after you lose your job-based coverage.
When you apply for coverage in the Marketplace, you’ll find out if you qualify for:
- Savings on your monthly premiums (called "") and extra savings on Marketplace coverage based on your income when you get covered services. Get details about these savings.
- Free or low-cost coverage from Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Option 2: Sign up for COBRA coverage
You may be able to keep your job-based health plan through COBRA continuation coverage.
COBRA coverage lets you pay to stay on your job-based health insurance for a limited time after your job ends (usually 18 months). You usually pay the full premium yourself, plus a small administrative fee.
- Contact your employer to learn about your COBRA options.
- If you've already signed up for COBRA coverage, find out if you can switch from COBRA to a Marketplace health plan.
More answers: If you lose job-based coverage
No. Marketplace plans take effect the first day of the month after your job-based insurance ends. So if you lose your insurance plan on March 7 and select a Marketplace plan by March 31, coverage can start April 1.
You may need proof that you lost health insurance through your job. When you apply for Marketplace coverage, you’ll get an eligibility notice. It will tell you if you need to submit documents to confirm your loss of coverage. The Marketplace may also contact you directly.
Yes. Savings on a Marketplace plan are based on your estimated income for everyone in your tax household for the full calendar year. Learn how to estimate your yearly income.
Yes. But if you’re offered coverage through your spouse’s job and it’s considered
, you won’t qualify for premium tax credits or other savings on a Marketplace plan – even if you don’t accept the offer.
You can buy a Marketplace plan to provide coverage until your new job-based insurance starts. Until then, you can qualify for savings on a Marketplace plan based on your income.
Once you enroll in the new job-based insurance you can keep the Marketplace plan, but you’d have to pay full price. You can end your Marketplace plan any time without penalty.
As long as you don’t have another offer of
, you can enroll in a Marketplace plan and may be eligible for premium tax credits and other savings based on your income.