When Can You Buy Health Insurance Apr 2026

If you miss the annual window, you can only buy insurance if you experience a . You usually have 30 to 60 days from the event to enroll.

For most people, the ability to buy health insurance is restricted to specific times of the year or particular life circumstances to prevent people from waiting until they are sick to sign up. 1. Annual Open Enrollment Period (OEP) when can you buy health insurance

: Losing a job, turning 26 and leaving a parent's plan, or losing eligibility for Medicaid/CHIP. If you miss the annual window, you can

: Look beyond the monthly premium to understand your deductible, copayments, and coinsurance. : Plans purchased directly through brokers (outside the

: Plans purchased directly through brokers (outside the federal marketplace) often allow for year-round application.

: Typically runs from November 1 to January 15 . Sign up by December 15 for coverage starting January 1.

This is the main time of year when anyone can sign up for a new plan or change their existing coverage without needing a special reason.