Special enrollment opportunities

Send documents to confirm a Special Enrollment Period

When you apply for Marketplace coverage and qualify for a Special Enrollment Period due to a life event, you may be asked to send documents to confirm that you qualify. You must send these documents before you can start using your coverage.

• You’ll find out if you have to provide documents after you submit your application. Details and instructions will be on your Marketplace Eligibility Notice.
• It’s best to pick a plan first and submit your documents afterwards. After you pick a plan, you have 30 days to send the documents.
• Your coverage start date is based on when you pick a plan. But you can’t use your coverage until we confirm your eligibility and you make your first premium payment.
• If your eligibility notice doesn't say you need to submit documents, you don’t have to. Simply pick a plan and enroll.
• Ready to upload now? Follow these steps.

If you lost or will lose health coverage

Already lost coverage

• Pick a plan within 60 days after date coverage ended.
• Submit documents within 30 days of picking a plan.

Will lose coverage in the future

• Pick a plan within 60 days before the date your coverage will end.
• Submit documents within 30 days of picking a plan.

How to submit documents

Send the required documents as soon as possible after you pick a plan to prevent a delay in your coverage starting. Get a full list of acceptable documents to confirm loss of coverage.

Upload

• This is the fastest way to submit your documents.
• You’ll need to have scanned copies or clear photos of the documents.
• Documents must meet these requirements:
  • Accepted formats: .pdf, .jpeg, .jpg, .gif, .xml, .png, .tiff, .bmp
  • Maximum file size: 10MB
  • File names can’t include special characters like / \ : * ? “ |

  Mail

  • Don't send original documents – send photocopies only.
  • Mail documents to:
    Health Insurance Marketplace
    Attn: Supporting Documentation
    465 Industrial Blvd.
    London, KY 40750-0001

  After you submit your documents

  You should get a letter in your HealthCare.gov account within a couple of weeks telling you if we confirmed your Special Enrollment Period.

  • If your Special Enrollment Period is confirmed:
    • We’ll tell the insurance plan you picked.
    • You’ll need to pay your first premium directly to the insurance company — not to the Health Insurance Marketplace ® . Your coverage won’t start until you pay your first premium.

    If confirmation delays kept you from using your plan after the coverage start date, you may have to pay premiums for one or more previous months. When you do, medical expenses you had after the start date may be covered. This is called "retroactive" coverage.

    • If your Special Enrollment Period can’t be confirmed:
      • You’ll get a letter in your Marketplace account explaining why.
      • You can upload different documents to confirm.

      If you don’t have any of the acceptable documents, you can send a letter explaining why. Learn more about what to include in the statement .

      More answers

      What if I don’t pick a plan within 60 days of moving or losing coverage?

      Your Special Enrollment Period eligibility has passed. You can’t enroll in a health insurance plan until the next Open Enrollment, unless you qualify for another Special Enrollment Period.

      How do I confirm a move if I'm homeless or in transitional housing?

      You can submit a letter from a person in your state who can confirm you live in the area. It could be a friend, family member, or caseworker.

      This person must confirm their residency by including one of the documents listed here.

      What if I don’t have any of the acceptable documents?

      First, do whatever you can to get them. Sending the right documents is the best way to start using your coverage as soon as possible.

      If you’ve tried everything and still can’t get the documents, you can provide a letter of explanation (PDF, 104 KB) instead. Save the file to your computer, fill out the section related to your life event, and upload it online or mail it in. If you need more room, continue on a blank sheet of paper.

      The Marketplace will take your letter of explanation into consideration and let you know if it’s acceptable confirmation.

      Can I submit my documents before I pick a plan?

      Yes, but you must pick a plan within 60 days of the event that qualifies you for the Special Enrollment Period.