When will my health plan start?

If you apply during the national Open Enrollment period: 11/1/20 - 12/15/20

If you complete an application during Open Enrollment, which is from November 1st to December 15th 11:59PM PST, your coverage will begin on January 1st, 2021.

Certain State Exchanges have extended their enrollment periods, for later start and coverage dates. For instance, CA, CO, MA, MN, NY, RI, and Washington DC all have extended enrollment periods for coverage that starts on either February 1st or March 1st. We recommend checking the deadlines if you live in one of these states.

If you apply during a Special Enrollment Period

Your coverage start will depend on your qualifying life event! Special Enrollment Period lasts all year long, though you need a qualifying life event in order to be eligible for this option.

Note: Your plan will not begin if you fail to make your first premium payment, called your "binder payment". Be sure to look out for emails from Stride and bills from your insurance company for more information!

For these life events, coverage will start on the 1st day of the month following enrollment: 1) Losing Medicaid or job-based coverage, 2) Marriage or registered domestic partnership, 3) Cobra ending, 4) Spouse losing coverage 5) Getting divorced 

• If you lose health insurance due moving states or zip codes and need a a new plan, you'll need to apply by 15th of the month for your new plan to start at the beginning of the next month on the 1st. If you apply after 15th of the month, your plan will start the 1st of the following month.

For the birth or adoption of a child, or acceptance of a child into foster care, your coverage starts on the first day of the month following the birth, adoption, or placement in foster care but you can choose to have coverage start on the date of the birth, adoption, or placement in foster care, or on the first day of the month following enrollment.