Lost Your Job and Your Health Insurance? Here's How to Stay Covered

Let’s start by telling HealthCare.gov where you live. Plans and prices depend on your county, so this is the first thing it asks. You won’t be asked for your name or any account here.

Go to healthcare.gov/see-plans.

Now you’ll see the three parts of the preview. It might be tempting to skip straight to plans, but answering a few questions first shows you prices with your savings already counted.

This screen is only for people who already have a Marketplace plan. Since your coverage came from your job, you can skip it.

Next, it wants to know who’s in your household. Think of everyone on your tax return, not just the people who need coverage.

Now a few quick questions about you. Your age changes the price, so be accurate. The checkboxes are optional, but they help the estimate.

Quick check: make sure everyone you listed is here and their details look right. You can still add a spouse or a dependent.

This is the question that matters most for your price. Your savings are based on your expected income, so take a moment and make your best guess.

Here’s your estimated savings. This is the part most people are surprised by — your monthly price could be a lot lower than you expect.

Almost there. Now you can compare real plans in your area. Don’t just look at the monthly price — check what you’d pay when you actually use care.

First, an account. Pick your state, then set up your login. Write down your security answers exactly as you type them — you’ll need all three if you ever get locked out.

Go to healthcare.gov/create-account, or click Start or update an application from Step 9.

If HealthCare.gov asks you to confirm your email, open the message it sends and click the link in it before you log in.

Account done. Now log in with the email and password you just made. If you’re on a shared or library computer, remember to log out and close the browser when you finish.

Go to healthcare.gov/login.

Once you’re in, start a new application for your state. Pick the year your new plan will start: it starts the first day of the month after your job plan ends. Start date in 2026? Use the 2026 application. January 1, 2027? Use 2027. A 2026 plan only runs through December 31, so also pick a 2027 plan during Open Enrollment (by January 15, 2027).

Before you apply, HealthCare.gov checks that you’re really you. This protects you — it stops someone else from applying in your name. Have your Social Security number ready.

Next, you’ll get a few multiple-choice questions based on your credit history, like past addresses or employers. “None of the above” can be the right answer. CMS says this check is only an inquiry and doesn’t affect your credit score.

You’re verified. This page explains how your information is used. Read it, then check both boxes so you can start the actual application.

This first screen sets up your application. Answer Yes to the last question — that’s how you get checked for the tax credit you saw in the preview.

Now some basics about you. These screens go fast. Use your legal name and the address where you live now.

Now, who’s on the application. If it’s just you, this is quick. If you have a spouse or kids, add each person here.

Still on your job plan because it hasn’t ended yet? A later screen asks what coverage each person has now. Check Coverage through their job for yourself. Don’t check COBRA unless you’re enrolled in COBRA and plan to keep it.

After this come a few more household screens: Social Security numbers, citizenship or immigration status, and questions like whether anyone is pregnant. Answer them for each person.

This is the section where losing your job matters most. The first screens ask about income you get this month, like unemployment benefits. Later you’ll check your total for the whole year.

The one people trip on here is the yearly total. HealthCare.gov bases your savings on your expected income for the year you want coverage. If your guess is off, you could have to pay money back at tax time. If your income changes later, update your application.

Now the application asks about health coverage from a job. The question is about the date shown on the screen, not today. If nobody will have a job plan offer on that date, the answer is None of these people.

These two screens open your Special Enrollment Period. They come one after the other. The first asks about coverage you already lost, the second about coverage you’re about to lose.

You may be asked for the date your coverage ends. Use the date on your employer’s or insurer’s letter. After that come screens where you review your answers, sign and submit. We don’t show them here because we couldn’t find an official picture of them. Read each answer once more before you sign.

Submitted. Right away you’ll see what you qualify for. Look for your tax credit and any note that says you need to send documents.

Then continue to enrollment from this page. HealthCare.gov says it’s best to pick a plan first and send documents afterward.

Before you pick a plan, you decide how much of your tax credit to use each month. Using more of it now means a lower bill each month.

Next comes a short to-do list: tobacco use, checking your doctors and drugs, an estimate of yearly costs, and whether you want a separate dental plan. Then you’ll see the plan list — like the one in Step 9. Click Enroll on the plan you want.

Almost there. Check the price, sign with your name, and pay your first month. You’re not fully enrolled until that first payment goes through.

Last step. If your results asked for documents, send a letter showing your lost coverage and the date it ends. You have 30 days after you pick a plan.