Unemployed people

When you lose job-based insurance, you may be offered COBRA continuation coverage by your former employer.

Special Enrollment Period

A time outside the yearly Open Enrollment Period when you can sign up for health insurance. You qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you’ve had certain life events, including losing health coverage, moving, getting married, having a baby, or adopting a child, or if your household income is below a certain amount. Refer to glossary for more details.

. This means you have 60 days to enroll in a health plan, even if it’s outside the annual Open Enrollment Period

The yearly period (November 1 – January 15) when people can enroll in a Marketplace health insurance plan. Refer to glossary for more details.

Find plans and prices to compare them to your COBRA coverage or offer.

If you already have COBRA coverage

If you’re already enrolled in COBRA, you may have options in the Marketplace. Can you change from COBRA to a Marketplace plan?
Get CoverageIf your COBRA is running outIf you’re ending COBRA earlyIf your COBRA costs change because your former employer stops contributing or you lose a government subsidy (like COBRA premium assistance) and you must pay full cost
During Open EnrollmentIf your COBRA is running out">Yes, you can change.Yes, you can change.If your COBRA costs change because your former employer stops contributing or you lose a government subsidy (like COBRA premium assistance) and you must pay full cost">Yes, you can change.
Outside Open EnrollmentIf your COBRA is running out">Yes, you can change — you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.No, you can’t change until the next Open Enrollment Period, your COBRA runs out, or you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period another way.If your COBRA costs change because your former employer stops contributing or you lose a government subsidy (like COBRA premium assistance) and you must pay full cost">Yes, you can change — you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

More answers

Does COBRA count as qualifying health coverage (or "minimum essential coverage")?

What if I already signed up for COBRA but it’s too expensive?

Your options depend on whether it’s during the annual Open Enrollment Period and whether the cost for you has recently changed. Review the COBRA options chart.

Can I switch from COBRA to Medicaid outside Open Enrollment?

You can apply for and enroll in Medicaid any time. If you qualify, you can drop your COBRA coverage early. Check if you may qualify for Medicaid and CHIP.