Life can get busy. And it’s easy to forget things — like the annual Open Enrollment Period (OEP) for Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans. That typically runs from November 1 to January 15.

Maybe the fact that OEP lands right in the middle of the holiday season is one reason you may forget to enroll. Or it may roll around when you have something else going on — you lose your job, say, or get married. Or any number of other reasons.

But if you miss the OEP, it doesn't mean you can’t get health coverage for the year. You still have several opportunities, as long as you’re eligible.

If the Open Enrollment Period has passed you by, visit our individual and family plan options online. See any you’re interested in? Read all about them to learn more.

Here are 4 ways you can get health insurance if you miss the OEP:

1. Special Enrollment Period (SEP)

It’s important to say this up front: Not everybody is eligible for a Special Enrollment Period, or SEP, whenever they want one. You only qualify for an SEP if you have what is known as a qualifying life event. That could include:

• You lose your job and your health insurance with it
• You get married
• You get divorced or legally separated and lose coverage
• You have a baby or adopt a child
• Someone on your health insurance plan dies
• You move to a new area where different health plans are offered (that is, as long as you had coverage before you moved)
• You turn 26 and age out of your parents’ health plan
• You become a U.S. citizen

In rare cases, you can also get an SEP if a natural disaster like a wildfire or flooding kept you from signing up for a plan during OEP. Additionally, you could also get an SEP if you experience a technical glitch that prevents you from enrolling. Or the website had the wrong information on it. (You may need to provide evidence or screenshots of those issues in order to prove your case.)

An SEP opens up a 60-day window during which you can enroll in a new health plan through the ACA federal Health Insurance Marketplace or a state exchange. Both are websites where you can browse and buy insurance. Another place you can buy a plan: Through a private insurance company.

As in those rare cases, you’ll also need to provide documentation to prove the qualifying life event. This can include a termination letter from your employer, a marriage certificate or a birth certificate.

2. COBRA

If you recently left or lost your job, you’ll have the opportunity to shop for a Marketplace plan, because you’ll get an SEP. But you can also opt for another option: COBRA.

That stands for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, and it’s a federal law that allows you to stay on your group health plan from your ex-employer anywhere from 18 to 36 months after you leave your job. Your spouse, an ex-spouse and your dependents can stay on your plan, too.

In general, COBRA applies to companies that have health insurance for at least 20 employees — and some states might have their own COBRA-like laws for companies with fewer employees.

COBRA is a good option, because it means you can stick with the doctors you’ve been seeing. That could be even more beneficial to folks who have chronic conditions and who may need to see their doctors — or a care team — more regularly.

If there’s one thing that could give you pause about COBRA, it’s the cost. Many employers pay for a percentage of your health insurance — but without an employer, you’ll have to foot the full monthly premium. You may even have to pay an additional 2% administrative fee.

COBRA can be expensive. If you’re looking to fill a gap between major medical policies for a limited period of time, a short term health insurance plan could be for you. Explore plans online now.

3. Medicaid

If your income is low enough, you may qualify for Medicaid. Medicaid is a government program that provides free or low-cost health coverage to eligible individuals and families.

Each state has its own income limit for Medicaid based on a percentage of the federal poverty level, which is $15,650 for an individual and $26,650 for a family of 3.¹ (Children may also be eligible for the Children’s Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, which offers low-cost health coverage when they’re in families with incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid, but too low to afford private coverage.)

Medicaid enrollment is available year-round, and you can apply at any time. The eligibility criteria vary by state, so it’s important to check your state’s specific requirements.

4. Short term health insurance

Short term health insurance is a temporary option, with coverage that’s limited 3 months + 1 month extension for a maximum coverage period of no more than 4 months. So, think of this type of insurance as a way of filling a gap in coverage — with the other side being a longer term plan. What may be most convenient about this short term solution is that you can usually get coverage quickly, often within a day, and stop it whenever you want. It’s also generally less expensive than other insurance options but does come with some limitations and exclusions. It doesn’t follow the same rules as ACA plans, they are medically underwritten, and you could be denied coverage if you have a preexisting condition. Short term health insurance does not meet all federal requirements to qualify as “minimum essential coverage” and the plans do not include all the essential health benefits.

Do I have any other insurance options?

Let’s say you have an SEP and buy an ACA plan through a private insurer. If you need extra coverage, you could add a supplemental plan. (There is a monthly premium for supplemental insurance that is not included in what you’d pay for your primary health insurance, but it may be worth it.) Here are a few options to consider:

• Dental insurance. You can get a stand-alone plan or pair it with other types of insurance for a discounted rate. It’ll help cover things like routine teeth cleanings, dental X-rays and fillings.
• Vision insurance. Vision insurance is a type of plan that’s great to combine with dental insurance. It’ll help cover things like routine eye exams and provide you with an allowance for glasses and/or contact lenses.
• Fixed indemnity insurance. If you wound up getting a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), a fixed indemnity insurance plan (aka fixed benefit health insurance or hospital and doctor plan) might help you pay for your deductible. It provides a fixed benefit for specific medical services, like doctor’s office visits, trips to the emergency room and hospital stays.
• Hospital insurance. You may see this called hospital indemnity or hospitalization insurance. It’s a type of indemnity plan that provides a daily benefit for a limited number of days you’re in the hospital. It could be a boon if you have either a planned or unexpected hospital stay.

If you have a high deductible to meet and other out-of-pocket costs, a fixed indemnity insurance plan could help you cover out-of-pocket costs. Enter your ZIP code to see which plans are available in your area. You can also contact a licensed insurance agent at 1-844-211-7730 for more information.

For informational purposes only. This information is compiled by UnitedHealthcare, and/or one of its affiliates, and does not diagnose problems or recommend specific treatment. Services and medical technologies referenced herein may not be covered under your plan. Please consult directly with your primary care physician if you need medical advice.

Source:

1. KFF. “Medicaid income eligibility limits for adults as a percent of the federal poverty level.” January 2025. Retrieved from https://www.kff.org/affordable-care-act/state-indicator/medicaid-income-eligibility-limits-for-adults-as-a-percent-of-the-federal-poverty-level

Part Number: 52384-X-0725