Renew, change, or update your health plan for 2019
If you had Marketplace health insurance in 2018, you can renew, change, or update your plan for 2019 until December 15, 2018.
- Whether you plan to renew or change plans, we strongly encourage you to log in and update your information by December 15, 2018. This way your new coverage will start January 1, 2019.
- If you don’t act by December 15, you'll probably be automatically re-enrolled for January 1 — but you must update income and household information on your 2019 application to get the right amount of savings.
Your 2019 insurance status
You should have received 2 letters: one from your current insurance company and one from the Marketplace. Together they explain your 2019 coverage status, which plan (if any) you’ll be enrolled in or matched with if you don’t act by December 15, any changes in your coverage and financial help, and directions if you need to send the Marketplace any documents.
If you didn’t get your insurance company letter, contact your insurance company. If you didn’t get the Marketplace letter, contact the Call Center.
See more about your 2019 letters.
Important: Update & compare plans for 2019
No matter what plan you want to enroll in, we strongly recommend you update your Marketplace application with your expected income and household information and compare your current plan to what’s available for 2019.
- New, affordable plans may be available this year. Plans and prices change every year. Your situation may have changed too. You may find 2019 plans with coverage and features that better meet your needs — especially if you have had or expect income or household changes.
- Update your application so your 2019 financial help is correct. Financial help is based on your expected income for 2019 (not 2018). If you don't update your income and household information, your premium tax credit and other savings could be wrong for 2019. If this happens:
- You could wind up paying more for your monthly premium than you have to.
- You may use more advance payments of the premium tax credit than you qualify for. You'd then have to pay back some or all of the difference when you file your federal taxes.
- You may be automatically enrolled for 2019 — but we strongly recommend you update your application and check out new insurance plans first. If you don’t renew or enroll in a plan by December 15, 2018, you may be automatically enrolled in the same or a similar plan. This way you’ll be covered on January 1, 2019. But the best way to make sure you have a 2019 plan that meets your current needs, and with the financial help you qualify for, is to log in to update your information and see all the plans available to you for 2019. You should do this even if you want to keep the same plan.
- In some cases, you won't be automatically enrolled. Just enroll in any available plan by December 15, 2018, to make sure you're covered on January 1, 2019.
More answers: Change or update your plan for 2019
- What if my premium went up, my coverage changed, or I don't like the plan I'm being offered for 2019?
Log in to your HealthCare.gov account by December 15, 2018, update your application, and check out the plans available to you for 2019. New plans, prices, and features may be available.
If you don’t enroll in a new plan by December 15, you may be automatically enrolled in or matched with a 2019 plan. That way you'll be covered on January 1, 2019. Preview 2019 plans with personalized price estimates right now.
- Can I change to a health insurance plan outside the Marketplace?
Yes. But the only way to get a premium tax credit and other savings is to buy your plan through the Marketplace.
If you know your income is too high to qualify you for a premium tax credit, you may want to explore plans outside the Marketplace.
Note: Plans inside and outside the Marketplace have similar basic features, but some outside-the-Marketplace plans have different costs and other important details. If you're looking at plans outside the Marketplace, be sure to compare them to plans in the Marketplace too.
- Why is my premium tax credit different from what I had in 2018?
Your premium tax credit is based on the most current information available about your income and household size. That may be information on your 2018 application, or information from other sources, like the IRS. Financial help is based on your expected income for 2019, not 2018.
That's why it's so important to update your application with income and household changes you expect for 2019. It's the only way to be sure you'll get the right tax credit and other savings for the year.
Update your application and select a plan by December 15, 2018, and you'll have the right amount of savings, and the plan you want, starting January 1, 2019.
Plan premiums in your area may have changed too, and that can affect your premium tax credit.
- Why does my Marketplace notice say I won't get a premium tax credit this year?
There are several possible reasons. But even if you’re told you don't qualify for financial help, update your application for 2019, and if necessary take the actions below. You may find out that you do qualify for financial help.
Possible reasons you've been told you may not qualify for a premium tax credit next year:
- Updated income information from the IRS may show that you don't qualify for 2019.
- You may need to send us information or take other actions before you qualify for a 2019 premium tax credit. Your notice will provide instructions and deadline information.
- We may not have a record showing you filed a federal income tax return to reconcile a premium tax credit you used in 2017. If you don't file a tax return for years you use a premium tax credit, we can't continue to offer you one.
- When you filled out your 2018 Marketplace application, you may not have allowed the Marketplace to use your updated tax information automatically for future years.
- My health insurance company letter says it isn't offering my plan this year. What are my options?
If your insurance company letter says they aren't offering your plan or a similar plan through the Marketplace in your area for 2019, you'll be matched with an alternate plan. We strongly encourage you to update your Marketplace application and review all plans available to you for 2019. When updating your 2019 Marketplace application, be sure to indicate that you're losing your 2018 health coverage as of December 31, 2018.
You must enroll in a plan by December 15, 2018. Coverage starts January 1, 2019.
If you have questions about your plan's availability for 2019, call your current health insurance company.
- What happens if I don't choose a plan by the deadline?
To protect you from a gap in coverage, if you don't choose a plan by December 15, 2018, and the Marketplace has matched you with an alternate plan offered by another insurance company, we'll enroll you in that plan.
You’re under no obligation to activate this new plan. (Your plan isn’t activated until you pay your first monthly premium.)
- When does my 2018 Marketplace plan end?
All 2018 Marketplace plans end December 31, 2018, no matter when you enrolled.
- What are the deadlines for 2019 coverage?
- November 1, 2018: Open Enrollment started.
- December 15, 2018: Last day to sign up for 2019 coverage. Coverage starts January 1, 2019.
If you don’t enroll by December 15, you can't enroll in a health insurance plan for the rest of 2019 unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
- If I don't want a 2019 Marketplace plan but am automatically enrolled, do I need to cancel my plan?
No. Even if you're automatically enrolled in a new plan, you're under no obligation to activate this new plan.