Starting today, Americans in every state can use a new COVID-related special enrollment period to get covered under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).
COVID Special Enrollment Period for HealthCare.gov
At the end of January, the Biden administration announced a special enrollment period for the 36 states that use HealthCare.gov, the federal ACA marketplace. This window will be open from February 15 until May 15, and it will allow anyone who is eligible to enroll in a new plan or change plans if they wish.
COVID Special Enrollment Period for State-Run Affordable Care Act (ACA) Exchanges
In addition, all of the states that run their own exchanges have announced their own enrollment windows.
- California: February 1 to May 15
- Colorado: February 8 to May 15
- Connecticut: February 15 to May 15
- District of Columbia: Ongoing until the pandemic emergency ends
- Idaho: March 1 to March 31
- Maryland: Until March 15
- Massachusetts: Until May 23
- Minnesota: February 16 to May 17
- Nevada: February 15 to May 15
- New Jersey: Until May 15
- New York: Until March 31
- Pennsylvania: February 15 to May 15
- Rhode Island: February 15 to May 15
- Vermont: February 16 to May 14
- Washington: February 15 to May 15
A couple of the state-run enrollment windows exactly mirror the federal plan, but most are limiting enrollment to those who are currently without health insurance.
More Information
If you still need health insurance for 2021, now’s a great time to get covered. To learn more about how to sign up in your state and whether you qualify for cost-saving subsidies, visit our Obamacare Learning Center.
