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If you're enrolled in a Marketplace plan and your income or household changes, update your application as soon as possible. These changes may affect the coverage or savings you’re eligible for. If you don’t report them, you could qualify for more savings than you’re getting now or wind up having to pay money back when you file 2021 taxes next year.

How to report income & household changes

• You report changes to the Marketplace by updating your application. See which changes to report.
• You can update your application online, by phone, or in person but not by mail.
• See how to update your application online.

What to do if you move

• If you’ve moved to a new address within the same state, update your application online.
• If you moved to a different state, start a new application in your new state:
  • When you move to a new state, you can’t keep your plan from your old state.
  • Report out-of-state moves as soon as possible, so you can enroll in a new plan without a break in coverage and avoid paying for coverage that doesn’t apply in your new state.
• See what to do if you move out of state.

Get more information on reporting changes to the Marketplace.

Here’s how you can use your Marketplace health insurance to help you stay healthy this summer.

3 quick tips: Maintaining your health this summer

• Take advantage of free preventive services, like screenings for things like cancer and depression, shots, and check-ups. These services are free only when delivered by a doctor or other provider in your plan’s network.
• Increase activity with your doctor’s approval. Enjoy the beautiful weather by gardening or walking your dog. It doesn’t have to feel like exercise!
• Get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation can impact your mood and performance. Learn how much sleep you need.

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See more tips on improving your health.

Now that you’re enrolled in 2021 Marketplace insurance, don’t forget to pay your monthly premium directly to your health insurance company, not to the Health Insurance Marketplace®. Your coverage won't start until you do.

How to pay your monthly premium online at HealthCare.gov

1. Log in to your Marketplace account.
2. Select your application under "Your Existing Applications."
3. Click the blue button "Pay Your First Health Insurance Monthly Premium."
4. If online payment is available, choose the green button "Pay for Health Plan Now" to go to your insurance company's website. (If this isn’t an option, your insurance company should have contacted you with next steps. Reach out to them for information on how to pay or if you aren’t sure that you did. You can find their phone number on your plan brochure or their website.)

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You can enroll in Marketplace insurance through August 15, 2021 due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emergency. More people than ever before qualify for help paying for health coverage, even those who weren’t eligible in the past.

Get more information on activating your coverage by paying your first premium. {% endbox %}

Congratulations, recent graduates! Here are 3 health insurance options to help protect you from unexpected medical costs if you get hurt or sick.

3 health insurance options for young adults

• Enroll in Marketplace health coverage through August 15, 2021 due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emergency. More people than ever before qualify for help paying for health coverage, even those who weren’t eligible in the past.

  • Note: If your student health plan is ending, you’re moving to a new state, or you experience other life changes, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period to enroll in a Marketplace health plan any time for the rest of 2021.
  • Create an account to get started.

• If you’re under 26, you may be able to enroll in a parent’s health insurance plan if their plan covers dependents.

• If you’re just starting out, you may qualify for free or low-cost coverage through Medicaid. If you qualify, you can enroll immediately. When your income increases, you can adjust or change your coverage to make sure you're getting the right amount of savings.

  • When you apply for Marketplace coverage, we’ll tell you if you qualify for an insurance plan with savings based on your income, or for Medicaid.
  • If you have children, you’ll find out if they qualify for coverage through the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Get information on applying at HealthCare.gov.

All private health plans offered in the Marketplace must cover these 10 essential health benefits regardless of the plan category and type. (Note: These are the minimum requirements for all Marketplace plans. Specific services covered in each broad benefit category can vary based on your state's requirements.)

Covered essential health benefits

• Ambulatory patient services
• Emergency services
• Hospitalization
• Pregnancy, maternity, and newborn care (pre and post birth)
• Mental health and substance use disorder services
• Prescription drugs
• Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices
• Laboratory services
• Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management
• Pediatric services, including oral and vision care

Other services may be available to you

• Marketplace plans include breastfeeding and birth control coverage.
• Your plan may also offer dental and vision coverage and medical management programs (for specific needs like weight management, back pain, and diabetes).

See what else your Marketplace heath plan covers.

Need coverage for the rest of 2021? You have through August 15, 2021 to apply and enroll through the new Special Enrollment Period for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emergency. You might qualify for savings, even if you didn’t before. In fact, most people do!

Get an idea of 2021 savings

Answer a few easy questions about you and your household to see what you could save on a health plan. You don’t even have to log in. Follow these quick steps:

1. Select your household size, state, and estimated 2021 income range (if your state runs its own Marketplace, visit their website).
2. Submit to see if you may qualify for Marketplace savings.
3. Fill out an application to find out your savings and plan prices. Create an account, or log into an existing one.

Learn more about the new savings and lower costs available for 2021 Marketplace health insurance.

Health insurance isn’t just for when you’re sick. Here’s how you can use your Marketplace coverage any time.

3 tips for staying healthy & getting the care you need

• Take advantage of free preventive services. Marketplace plans cover a set of preventive services, like shots and screening tests, at no cost to you when delivered by a doctor or other provider in your plan’s network. Ask them what preventive services are right for you.
• Know where to go for care. You can get health care at many different places, including the emergency department when you’re injured or very sick. But it’s best to get routine care from a primary care provider. They work with patients regularly to help ensure they get the right services, manage their chronic conditions, and improve their health and well-being. It might take more than one visit to figure out if a provider is right for you, so it’s important to be proactive and start your search before you need them.
• Understand your Summary of Benefits and Coverage. Insurance plans can differ by the providers you see and how much you have to pay. Ask your insurance company for a Summary of Benefits and Coverage document. It’ll tell you the key features of your plan, like what’s covered and what your share of the cost might be for certain services.

Get more tips on using your Marketplace coverage.

If anyone in your household had a Marketplace plan in 2020, you’ll use Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace® Statement to fill out Form 8962, Premium Tax Credit (PDF, 110 KB).

How to use Form-1095-A

1. Your 1095-A contains information about Marketplace plans any household members had in 2020. Before you file, make sure it’s accurate. If it’s not, contact the Marketplace Call Center, and wait to file until you get a corrected version.

   • Can’t find your 1095-A? Check your Marketplace account online.
   • Already filed with an incorrect version? File an amended return with the IRS.

2. Use the information from your 1095-A to complete Part II of Form 8962. See how to reconcile.

What if I didn’t have a Marketplace plan in 2020?

Learn how to file your 2020 federal taxes based on the type of coverage you had.

You may be eligible for more savings and lower costs on Marketplace health insurance due to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 — even if you weren’t before! Health insurance premiums after these new savings will go down.

You have through August 15, 2021 to enroll in or change 2021 health coverage through the new Special Enrollment Period for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency.

New to the Marketplace?

• Create an account if you’re applying for the first time.
• Follow these 4 steps to apply and enroll on HealthCare.gov.

Already have a Marketplace plan?

• You can still take advantage of these extra savings. Log in, and submit your application again to see your new eligibility results with the extra tax credit amount. You’ll get your eligibility results right away.
• If you qualify for more tax credit, reselect your current plan in order for the changes to take effect to lower your premiums for the rest of the year.
• Note: Your deductible may start over. Call your insurance company before changing plans or adding a new household member to find out.

Learn more about the new savings available.

If anyone in your household had Marketplace health coverage in 2020, you should have already received Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace® Statement. (If you didn’t get the form online or by mail, contact the Marketplace Call Center.)

How to use Form 1095-A

• If your form is accurate, you’ll use it to "reconcile" your premium tax credit. If there are errors, contact the Call Center. We’ll send you a new, updated one. Don’t file your federal taxes until you have it.
• To "reconcile," you’ll compare the amount of premium tax credit you used in advance during 2020 against the premium tax credit you actually qualify for based on your final income for the year. Any difference will affect your refund or the amount of taxes you owe.
• Get a step-by-step guide to "reconciling" your premium tax credit.

Didn’t have Marketplace coverage in 2020?

• If you got your 2020 health coverage elsewhere, like through your job or outside the Marketplace, you’ll get a different form and follow different steps.
• Choose your 2020 health coverage status for steps and forms for your situation.