Do you have an ACA qualifying life event?
Missed Open Enrollment? Certain life changes open a Special Enrollment Period so you can still get covered. Check everything that applies below and your likely windows appear instantly. Everything runs in your browser, nothing is sent anywhere or stored.
The 60-day rule, in plain English
Insurance companies speak insurance. We translate. Here's the short version: outside Open Enrollment (November 1 to January 15 for Florida's federal Marketplace), you can only enroll in an ACA plan if a qualifying life event opens a Special Enrollment Period. For most events the window is 60 days from the event, and for an upcoming coverage loss you can apply up to 60 days early so your new plan starts the day the old one ends.
Two things trip people up. First, the event usually has to involve a coverage change, not just a life change. A divorce with no coverage loss, or an income swing on its own, generally does not open a window. Second, the Marketplace may ask for proof, and your enrollment can sit in limbo until documents clear. For the full picture, read what counts as a qualifying life event for health insurance, or jump straight to our income estimator to see what a plan may cost you after subsidies.
Qualifying events, answered
How long do I have to enroll after a qualifying life event?
For most events you have 60 days from the date of the event. For an upcoming coverage loss you can also apply up to 60 days before it so there is no gap. The window after losing Medicaid or CHIP can run longer, so it is worth checking even if more time has passed.
Will the Marketplace ask me to prove my qualifying event?
Often, yes. The Marketplace may ask for documents such as a coverage-termination letter, marriage or birth certificate, or proof of your new address. Your plan can be held up until the documents clear, so gather them early. We help clients assemble the right paperwork all the time.
Does a change in income count as a qualifying life event?
By itself, usually not for a brand-new enrollment. If you already have Marketplace coverage you should report the change promptly, because your subsidy is based on your expected annual income. In limited cases an income change can affect eligibility in ways that do open a window, which is exactly the kind of thing we can double-check for you.
What if I don't have a qualifying event?
You may still have options. Medicaid and CHIP (including Florida KidCare) enroll year-round, and for 2026 coverage the federal Marketplace Open Enrollment Florida uses runs November 1 through January 15. Before assuming you have to wait, let us look at your situation, edge cases exist.
Not sure your situation fits a checkbox?
Real life is messier than a checklist. Send us the details and a licensed agent will confirm whether you have an enrollment window, what documents you need, and which plans fit, free.
- No cost to you
- RSSA® · CMIP®
- No pressure, ever