Affordable Care Act
Learn about the Affordable Care Act and find out how to apply through the Health Insurance Marketplace at HealthCare.gov.
Note: In response to the coronavirus pandemic, you may be eligible to apply for coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace during the special enrollment period, February 15 - May 15, 2021.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) provides individuals and families greater access to affordable health insurance options including medical, dental, vision, and other types of health insurance that may not otherwise be available. Under the ACA:
You may be able to purchase health care coverage through a state or federal marketplace that offers a choice of plans.
Insurers can't refuse coverage based on gender or a pre-existing condition.
There are no lifetime or annual limits on coverage.
Young adults can stay on their family’s insurance plan until age 26.
Seniors who hit the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan coverage gap or "donut hole" can get a discount on medications.
Read the full text of the ACA and learn more about its provisions and relationship to patients, insurers, businesses, and families.
Open enrollment time typically happens at the end of the year. It’s when you can freely make changes to your health care coverage purchased through the ACA's Health Insurance Marketplace.
During the open enrollment period, you will be able to:Re-enroll in your current plan
Choose a plan for the first time
Choose a new plan to replace your current plan
Make changes to your existing insurance plan
Typically, changes can only be made year round when:
Getting married or divorced
Having a baby or adding a dependent to your family
Losing other coverage
Moving to a new state
Qualifying for Medicaid or CHIP
Check to see if your life event qualifies you to change your coverage under a Special Enrollment Period.
You can learn more about and apply for ACA health care coverage in several ways.
Visit HealthCare.gov to apply for benefits through the ACA Health Insurance Marketplace or you'll be directed to your state's health insurance marketplace website. Marketplaces, prices, subsidies, programs, and plans vary by state.
Contact the Marketplace Call Center.
Find a local center to apply or ask questions in person.
Download an application form to apply by mail
Find the answers to common ACA questions about submitting documents, getting and changing coverage, your total costs for health care, tax options, and more.
If you have questions about specific parts of your insurance plan, you must contact your insurance company to get answers. Only your insurance company can answer specific questions about doctors, medications, treatments, medical equipment, and what is and is not covered under your plan.
Find contact information for your insurance company on your insurance card or bill.
If you can't find out how to contact your insurance company, contact the Marketplace Call Center.
If you need help appealing a dispute with your insurance company, contact the Marketplace Call Center.
Businesses with 50 employees or fewer can offer Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) plans to employees, starting any month of the year. Learn about small business tax credits to help companies with the equivalent of fewer than 25 full-time employees provide insurance coverage to their workers.
