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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

Special Enrollment Period
. This means you can apply and enroll in or change Marketplace health plans outside Open Enrollment.

Image: {Couple having baby and qualifying for affordable family health insurance}

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

life event
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.