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Open Enrollment for 2022 coverage begins in a little over 2 weeks! See what you can do today to make applying easier.

Get ready for 2022 Open Enrollment

• Review how to apply for coverage.
• Answer a few questions about your household to see if you might qualify for savings – most people do! (Check back soon to preview 2022 plans, with price estimates based on your income.)
• Gather everything you’ll need before you apply (PDF, 160 KB). Your Marketplace application will ask for some basic information about you and your household.

See more ways to get ready.

Open Enrollment for 2022 Marketplace coverage runs November 1 – January 15. Here’s why you should consider enrolling in coverage.

3 reasons to enroll in 2022 Marketplace coverage

• Health coverage helps protect you from both health and financial risks. No one plans to get sick or hurt, but most people need medical care at some point. Health insurance can help cover these costs.
• Plans are more affordable than ever. Provide some quick household information to see if your income may be in the range to save. (Also, check back soon to preview 2022 plans, with price estimates based on your income.)
• With health insurance, you have access to free preventive care, like vaccines, screenings, and some check-ups, even before you meet your deductible (the amount you pay for covered health care services before your insurance plan starts to pay).

For more information, get a quick overview of the Marketplace.

Connect with the Marketplace today, so you don’t miss out on deadline reminders and useful tips. Open Enrollment for 2022 Marketplace coverage starts November 1, 2021 — it will be here before you know it!

3 ways to stay informed

• Subscribe to email or text updates. Visit HealthCare.gov and enter your email address under "Get Important News & Updates." Click "Sign Up.”
• Connect with us on social media. Follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
• Find someone near you for enrollment help. Enter your ZIP code for a list of assisters, agents, or brokers in your area. Some offer help in languages other than English and other specialized services.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone 6 months and older get a yearly flu shot by the end of October. Flu viruses change from year to year, so even if you got the shot before, you should get a vaccine each year to protect against the most common types of viruses.

Getting the flu shot is quick, easy, & free

• By getting the shot, you’re helping reduce the spread of flu-related illnesses, hospitalizations, and even death. And according to the CDC, the flu vaccine doesn’t increase the risk of getting COVID-19.
• Babies, children, and older people are most vulnerable, but no one is immune to the flu. Getting the shot is a simple and free way to help protect yourself and your loved ones.
• Immunizations are a covered preventive care benefit. With Marketplace health insurance, your flu shot is free from a provider in your plan's network.

Learn more about the seasonal flu shot and its benefits from the CDC.

A change to your living place may qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period, allowing you to change plans or enroll for the rest of 2021. Your next steps depend on if you moved to a different state or within the same one.

Did you move to a new state?

• When you move to a new state, you can’t keep your current coverage. Report the move to the Marketplace, so you can enroll in a new plan without a break in coverage. By quickly reporting the move, you’ll also avoid paying for coverage that doesn’t apply where you now live.
• Follow these steps to update your application if you already have 2021 Marketplace coverage.
• If you’re new to the Marketplace and applying for the first time, create a HealthCare.gov account. (If your state runs its own Marketplace, use their website.)

Did you move within the same state?

• Your coverage options and savings probably won’t change based only on your new address.
• But you should still report the change by following these instructions.

Learn more about other income and household changes to report to the Marketplace.

Open Enrollment for 2022 health coverage is almost here! Here are some important dates to mark on your calendar:

When can I enroll in 2022 Marketplace coverage?

• Open Enrollment starts Monday, November 1.
• Enroll by December 15, 2021 for coverage that starts January 1, 2022.

Looking for coverage for the rest of 2021? Answer these questions to see if you can apply through a Special Enrollment Period. You can also enroll in Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) any time, if you’re eligible. Coverage can begin immediately.

Now that the August 15 enrollment deadline due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emergency has passed, you can get or change 2021 Marketplace coverage only if you have a life event that qualifies you for a Special Enrollment Period.

What life events qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period?

• A change in your situation, like getting married, moving, having a baby, or losing health coverage, can make you eligible for a Special Enrollment Period. See the full list of life events.
• Not sure your life event counts? Answer a few quick questions to find out.
• Depending on your Special Enrollment Period type, you usually have 60 days before or 60 days after the event to enroll in or change a plan.
• If your life event makes you eligible for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), you can enroll in these programs immediately.

How to apply with a Special Enrollment Period

• If you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, create an account or log into an existing one to enroll in or change a plan for 2021.
• You may be asked to submit documents to confirm the life event that makes you eligible.

If you're not eligible to apply with a Special Enrollment Period for the rest of 2021, you can apply for a 2022 health plan November 1 through December 15, 2021.

Need coverage for the rest of 2021? You have through August 15, 2021 to enroll in or change Marketplace health insurance plans due to a Special Enrollment Period for 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. Learn more about new, lower costs.

Beat the deadline & apply today

• If you already have a HealthCare.gov account, log in to apply for or change a plan.
• If you’re new to HealthCare.gov and are applying for the first time, create an account to get started.
• Before you apply, you can preview plans and prices based on your income.

{% box %} IMPORTANT: What if I miss the August 15 deadline?

• You can enroll or change 2021 coverage after August 15 only if you have a life event that qualifies you for a Special Enrollment Period.
• If you’re eligible for Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), you can enroll in these programs any time. {% endbox %}

Get help applying

• You can get help filling out your application 3 ways: by phone, with an in-person assister, or with an agent/broker. Get help applying for Marketplace insurance.
• You also have several ways to apply and enroll.

You can change Marketplace health coverage if you’re already enrolled or can apply for the first time during the 2021 Special Enrollment Period through August 15, 2021.

Applying for the first time?

• Create an account to start an application.
• When you apply for Marketplace coverage, you’ll find out if you qualify for a premium tax credit that lowers your monthly premium.
• More people than ever before qualify for help paying for health coverage. Premiums after these savings will go down.

Already have coverage but want to change plans?

• Most people currently enrolled in a Marketplace plan may qualify for more tax credits.
• Log in to update your application and enrollment. Your new eligibility results will be available right away, and they’ll show you the extra tax credit amount. Then, update your plan selection with increased tax credits.
• Note: If you select a new plan, any out-of-pocket costs you already paid for your current 2021 Marketplace plan probably won’t count towards your new deductible, even if you stay with the same insurance company. Check with your insurance company before switching.

Learn more about the new Special Enrollment Period for the COVID-19 public health emergency and the new savings available.

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.