Job Loss

What if lose coverage because I quit my job, got laid off or got fired?

Option 1: Get an individual plan

When you lose insurance through your employer, you can buy your own health plan right away, either from the Health Insurance Marketplace  or directly through our individual health plan options. You don’t have to wait until the next open enrollment period in the fall.

Option 2: Get covered under COBRA:

You may also be able to keep the plan you have with your employer through COBRA continuation coverage. COBRA is a federal law that lets you keep yourself and your family covered by your employee health plan. Coverage is only available for a limited time (often 18 months) after you leave your job or lose coverage through your employer. You pay the full monthly premium, including any amount that your employer had paid.

COBRA coverage does not come with cost assistance like plans on the Marketplace offer.

Important to note: If you have not lost employment but you have lost eligibility to employer-provided health insurance, you are still eligible for an individual plan or COBRA coverage.

In most cases, you’ll have 60 days after the qualifying life event to enroll in or change your health plan, but if you have insurance through your job, you may only have 30 days to enroll.