Question

Can I get coverage if I’m unemployed?

Yes. Losing job-based coverage is a qualifying life event, so it opens a Special Enrollment Period to sign up for a Marketplace plan outside the usual window — typically within 60 days. And because subsidies are based on income, a drop in earnings often means a larger premium tax credit; with very low income, you may qualify for Medicaid instead, which is open year-round.

Reviewed by Scott Stafford, Licensed Insurance Agent

Last updated

Job loss is one of the clearest paths to coverage outside Open Enrollment. When you lose employer insurance, you generally have 60 days to choose a Marketplace plan, and your new, lower income is what the Marketplace uses to size your premium tax credit — so the subsidy is often larger than you’d expect while your income is down. Report your income as you expect it to be for the year, not what you were earning before.

If your income is low enough, Medicaid may be the better route: it has no premium, you can apply any time of year, and in states that expanded it, eligibility reaches roughly 138% of poverty. COBRA — continuing your old employer plan — is also an option, but it usually costs far more than a subsidized Marketplace plan, since you pay the full premium. It’s worth comparing before defaulting to COBRA. Our enrollment guide covers the windows.

Common questions

Related questions

Is COBRA or a Marketplace plan better?
Often a subsidized Marketplace plan costs much less, because COBRA charges you the full premium. But COBRA lets you keep your exact plan and doctors, so compare the total cost both ways before deciding.
What if I have almost no income?
You may qualify for Medicaid, which has no premium and accepts applications year-round. In expansion states, eligibility extends to about 138% of the poverty level.

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