When Can I Change My Health Insurance Plan?

In most states, you can change health insurance through the Marketplace during the annual open enrollment period from Nov. 1 to Jan. 15.^[1] However, certain life events may qualify individuals for a special enrollment period, allowing them to make changes outside the usual cycle.

Learn about qualifying life events and tips for changing health insurance.

On This Page

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  Why Would I Need To Change My Health Insurance Plan?

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  What Events Allow Health Insurance Changes?

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  Can I Change My Health Insurance Plan During Special Enrollment Periods?

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  How To Change Health Insurance Plans

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  What Should I Consider When Cancelling My Health Insurance?

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  FAQs

Why Would I Need To Change My Health Insurance Plan?

Alterations in your provider network, major life events and evolving health care needs may require you to change your health insurance plan.

Changes in Your Network

Health insurance companies frequently update their network of doctors, hospitals and specialists. Such changes mean your preferred medical professional is no longer in network, potentially leading to higher out-of-pocket costs if you want to remain with that provider. Changing your plan may be in your best interest to maintain access to your preferred providers.

Changes to Your Life Situation

Life events such as marriage, childbirth, relocation or losing coverage through your employer may require you to revisit your health care needs. For instance, moving might change your available providers, while job loss could mean losing employer-sponsored coverage.

Age milestones can play a role as well. For example, those turning 26 typically can no longer stay on their parents' health insurance plan, meaning they must buy their own plan to continue having coverage.^[2]

The Need for More or Less Coverage

As individuals age, develop health conditions or undergo lifestyle changes, they may need a new health insurance plan to meet their current medical needs. Some may require more comprehensive plans with broader services and lower out-of-pocket costs, especially if facing chronic conditions or surgeries. Conversely, those enjoying good health and with fewer medical visits might opt for basic plans with higher deductibles to save on premiums.

Regularly assessing your personal health care needs ensures you're not overpaying for unnecessary coverage or underinsured for potential medical events.

What Events Allow Health Insurance Changes?

Below, we’ll cover several major qualifying life events that typically make you eligible for a special enrollment period:^[3]

• Getting married, divorced or separated
• Giving birth to or adopting a child
• Changing or losing your job, resulting in a loss of health coverage
• Being offered individual coverage through an employer
• Moving to a new home
• Losing your existing coverage due to the death of a family member
• Turning 26 and aging out of your parents’ health plan
• Gaining U.S. citizenship
• Being released from prison

Can I Change My Health Insurance Plan During Special Enrollment Periods?

You can change your health insurance plan during a special enrollment period. Since these periods occur in conjunction with a qualifying life event, they are one of the few opportunities to switch plans outside the open enrollment period. You typically have 60 days to choose a new health care plan once you've qualified for special enrollment.^[3]

How To Change Health Insurance Plans

If you want to change your health insurance plan, you have two options: open enrollment or a qualifying life event that makes you eligible for a special enrollment period.

Change a Health Insurance Plan During Open Enrollment

Changing your health insurance plan during open enrollment involves logging into your marketplace account. Most states will use the federal Health Insurance Marketplace, but some states will have their own platforms where you can view plan information. In either case, you should be able to navigate to an open enrollment tab and begin the process.

The Marketplace will ask for information about you, your spouse and any dependents you may have. This includes your age, smoking habits, income and estimated health care usage. The Marketplace then uses this data to list applicable health insurance plans you can select and enroll in for the coming year.

Change a Health Insurance Plan After Open Enrollment

To change plans through a special enrollment period, log in to your Marketplace account and select your active application under "Your Existing Applications." From there, click on "Report a Life Change" from the side menu, then choose and describe the specific change you're reporting. If your updated eligibility shows you qualify for a special enrollment period, you can browse and select a new plan.^[4]

Ensure you complete all tasks on your online to-do list, adjust any applicable premium tax credits and finalize your choices by completing the "Final Review" step. The exact process may vary slightly if your state operates its own Marketplace website.

Considerations When Changing Health Insurance Plans

When choosing a new health insurance plan, it's important to balance monthly premiums with anticipated medical costs such as deductibles, copays and coinsurance. Ensure the plan covers your specific health care needs, including preventive care, maternity, mental health and prescriptions. Before finalizing your choice, confirm that your preferred doctor or health care system is in network by consulting your provider or reviewing the plan's details.

What Should I Consider When Cancelling My Health Insurance?

When canceling your health insurance plan, be aware that dropping coverage can result in a state tax penalty if you live in California, the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, New Jersey or Rhode Island. Although Vermont has a health insurance mandate, no tax penalty is in effect. The federal tax penalty was eliminated effective Jan. 1, 2019.^[5]

You also risk paying all medical costs out of pocket if you need to visit a doctor or go to the emergency room.