Having a baby? You may be able to get or change health insurance outside Open Enrollment
Published on June 23, 2016
If you recently had or adopted a baby, you may qualify for a
. This means you can apply and enroll in or change Marketplace health plans outside Open Enrollment.![{Baby may qualify for special enrollment period} Image: {Couple having baby and qualifying for affordable family health insurance}](https://public4.pagefreezer.com:443/content/CMS.Healthcare/02-05-2022T22:26/https://www.healthcare.gov/assets/learn/static/en/affordable-family-health-insurance-after-birth/1201/affordable-family-health-insurance-after-birth.png)
When you enroll in a plan during a Special Enrollment Period, your new health coverage can begin the day your baby is born — even if you enroll in the plan up to 60 days afterward.
Apply with a Special Enrollment Period
- Answer a few quick questions to see if you’re likely to qualify for a Special Enrollment Period or for Medicaid or CHIP. We’ll tell you your next steps.
- Already know you qualify? Go to the Start Page and select the third button to start an application.
More on Special Enrollment Periods
Having a baby isn’t the only
that qualifies you to enroll in a plan outside the Open Enrollment Period. You may also be eligible if you’ve had other life changes — like getting married, moving, or losing coverage you had from a job.Learn more about getting coverage outside Open Enrollment.