Losing coverage, by situation

Losing other coverage (job loss, COBRA running out, aging off a parent's plan, losing Medicaid); household changes (marriage, birth, adoption, divorce that ends coverage, a death); moving to a new county or ZIP code; and changes in eligibility for savings, including an income change. Gaining access to an individual coverage HRA through work also counts.

60 days for a marketplace plan, counted from the event. Only 30 days to join a spouse's or parent's employer plan. Medicaid and CHIP have no window at all — you can apply any day of the year.

Both. The qualifying event is the loss of coverage, not the reason for it. Voluntarily leaving a job still ends your coverage and still opens the window.

You would generally wait for the next Open Enrollment, with three exceptions worth knowing: Medicaid and CHIP accept applications year-round, a new qualifying event starts a fresh window, and in some states other products remain available outside the window.

Yes, and you should. For a known future loss you can usually enroll up to 60 days in advance so the new plan starts the day the old one ends. This is the single best way to avoid a gap and it is widely overlooked.

Usually yes. Expect to supply a termination letter, a COBRA election notice, a Medicaid termination notice, or similar. Keep whatever document shows the date your coverage ended — that date starts your clock.

There is no federal penalty. A small number of states impose their own. The real risk is not a penalty but exposure — one unplanned hospital stay without coverage is financially serious.

Individual plans are priced and sold by county rather than by city, so a licensed agent can look up exactly what is available where you live from anywhere. Calling (866) 821-1808 connects you with one.