People with coverage through a job

If you leave your job for any reason (even if you quit or get fired) and lose your job-based health insurance, you can enroll in a Marketplace plan. You’ll qualify for a Special Enrollment Period to enroll to get coverage for the rest of the year.

For this Special Enrollment Period, you need to apply for Marketplace coverage within 60 days of losing your job-based coverage. Your coverage can start the first day of the month after you lose your job-based coverage.

When you apply for coverage in the Marketplace, you’ll find out if you qualify for:

Savings on your monthly premiums (called "

premium tax credits

A tax credit you can use to lower your monthly insurance payment (called your “premium”) when you enroll in a plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace®. Your tax credit is based on the income estimate and household information you put on your Marketplace application. Refer to glossary for more details.

Option 2: Sign up for COBRA coverage

You may be able to keep your job-based health plan through COBRA continuation coverage.

COBRA coverage lets you pay to stay on your job-based health insurance for a limited time after your job ends (usually 18 months). You usually pay the full premium yourself, plus a small administrative fee.

Contact your employer to learn about your COBRA options.
If you've already signed up for COBRA coverage, find out if you can switch from COBRA to a Marketplace health plan.

Can a Marketplace plan start the same day I lose my job-based insurance?

No. Marketplace plans take effect the first day of the month after your job-based insurance ends. So if you lose your insurance plan on March 7 and select a Marketplace plan by March 31, coverage can start April 1.

Do I need to provide proof that I lost insurance through my job?

You may need proof that you lost health insurance through your job. When you apply for Marketplace coverage, you’ll get an eligibility notice. It will tell you if you need to submit documents to confirm your loss of coverage. The Marketplace may also contact you directly.

When I apply for a Marketplace plan after losing job-based insurance, does the income I made this year before I left my job count?

Yes. Savings on a Marketplace plan are based on your estimated income for everyone in your tax household for the full calendar year. Learn how to estimate your yearly income.

What if I lost my job-based insurance and I’m now eligible to enroll in a spouse’s plan? Can I buy a Marketplace plan instead?

Yes. But if you’re offered coverage through your spouse’s job and it’s considered affordable

In 2024, a job-based health plan is considered "affordable" if your share of the monthly premium in the lowest-cost plan offered by the employer is less than 8.39% of your household income.

Refer to glossary for more details.

, you won’t qualify for premium tax credits or other savings on a Marketplace plan – even if you don’t accept the offer.

What if I leave my job with insurance and start another job that has a waiting period before I can enroll in it?

You can buy a Marketplace plan to provide coverage until your new job-based insurance starts. Until then, you can qualify for savings on a Marketplace plan based on your income.

Once you enroll in the new job-based insurance you can keep the Marketplace plan, but you’d have to pay full price. You can end your Marketplace plan any time without penalty.

What if I leave my job that had health insurance and take a new job that doesn’t offer health insurance?

As long as you don’t have another offer of qualifying health coverage

Any health insurance that meets the Affordable Care Act requirement for coverage. The fee for not having health insurance no longer applies. This means you no longer pay a tax penalty for not having health coverage.