I Lost My Health Insurance
Losing job-based health insurance triggers a 60-day Special Enrollment Period for Marketplace coverage — and you may qualify for Medicaid immediately with no enrollment deadline. Acting within 60 days is critical to avoid a gap in coverage. Here's how to compare your options.
What to do — in order
Go to healthcare.gov today
Visit healthcare.gov and enter your income and household information. The system will show both Marketplace plans and whether you qualify for Medicaid — with real premium estimates and subsidy amounts. You can enroll in a Marketplace plan within 60 days of losing coverage, with coverage starting as soon as the following month.
ACA Marketplace program page →Check if you qualify for Medicaid
If your income dropped along with your coverage (job loss, for example), you may now qualify for Medicaid. Medicaid has no enrollment period — apply any day of the year. In expansion states, adults up to 138% FPL qualify for free Medicaid. Apply through healthcare.gov or directly through your state Medicaid agency.
How to apply for Medicaid →Check CHIP if you have children
Children up to 200-300% FPL qualify for CHIP regardless of your own insurance status. Apply through healthcare.gov or your state's Medicaid office. CHIP has no enrollment period.
How to apply for CHIP →Evaluate COBRA as a bridge
COBRA lets you continue your employer plan for up to 18-36 months — but you pay the full premium (both your share and your employer's share), which averages $600-700/month for a single person. COBRA makes sense if you have ongoing care that benefits from continuity, but compare it against Marketplace plans with subsidies first.
Find a Community Health Center for immediate care
If you need medical care before coverage starts, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) see patients regardless of insurance status on a sliding fee scale. Some patients pay $0 based on income. Find one at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.
Community Health Centers →Programs that may apply to your situation
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a "qualifying life event" for Marketplace enrollment?
Losing employer coverage is the most common qualifying event. Others include: marriage or divorce, having a baby, moving to a new coverage area, gaining citizenship, leaving incarceration, and losing Medicaid or CHIP eligibility. Each triggers a 60-day Special Enrollment Period.
How much will Marketplace insurance cost?
It depends heavily on your income. Premium tax credits are available for incomes between 100-400% FPL (and above, through 2025 under the enhanced subsidies). At 200% FPL, you typically pay no more than 6% of income for the benchmark plan. Go to healthcare.gov to see real estimates for your situation.
Can I be denied Marketplace coverage because of a pre-existing condition?
No. Under the ACA, Marketplace plans cannot deny coverage, charge more, or limit benefits based on pre-existing conditions. This protection applies to all plans sold through healthcare.gov.
What if my income is below the Marketplace subsidy threshold?
In states that expanded Medicaid, incomes below 138% FPL qualify for Medicaid (free coverage). In the 10 non-expansion states, people with incomes between the Medicaid limit and 100% FPL may fall into a "coverage gap" with no affordable options. If you are in a non-expansion state, contact your local legal aid or 2-1-1 to understand your options.
If you are denied
Every major program has an appeal process. A denial is not the end — many are reversed on appeal. See our Appeals Guide for program-specific deadlines and strategies.