What opens the window
Losing other coverage is the most common one: a job ends, a plan ends, you turn 26 and come off a parent policy, a divorce ends your access to a spouse's plan. Moving to a new county or state can also do it, as can marriage, the birth or adoption of a child, becoming a citizen or lawfully present, and being released from incarceration. Certain income changes qualify too.
What does not open it
Voluntarily dropping coverage does not count. Neither does simply getting sick, or missing Open Enrollment because life got busy. This is the hardest conversation we have, and it is the reason we would rather you rang us in November about a maybe than in March about a certainty.
Sixty days, and it is strict
You generally get 60 days from the event. For a loss of coverage you can usually apply up to 60 days before it happens as well, which is much better: apply early and there is no gap between the old plan ending and the new one starting. Waiting until the old plan has already lapsed can leave you uninsured for weeks.
Bring the proof
The Marketplace will usually ask for documentation: a termination letter from the old carrier, a lease or utility bill for a move, a marriage or birth certificate. We tell you exactly which document will satisfy it before you go looking, which saves the round trip.