You Can Still Enroll in Obamacare for 2023 Coverage. Here’s How to Sign Up

December 15 was the last day to sign up to enroll in health insurance under the Affordable Care Act to receive coverage as soon as Jan. 1, 2023. If you missed this deadline, don’t worry. You can still enroll in health insurance; you just won’t get coverage for the entire year. If you apply by Jan. 15 and pay your premium, your coverage begins Feb. 1, 2023. 

Also known as Obamacare, it’s designed to give more Americans access to lower-cost health insurance and also expands Medicaid, as well as supports new medical delivery methods, such as ACA Health Homes. As of Aug. 2, more than 35 million Americans are enrolled in the ACA Health Insurance Marketplace. 

Read on to find out if you qualify for coverage under the ACA, how to enroll and when the deadlines are.

For more health care tips, learn about the best telehealth services and find out how you can save money on medical bills if you don’t have insurance.

When is the deadline to sign up for a health care plan with the Affordable Care Act marketplace?

While open enrollment continues through Jan. 15, you needed to sign up by Dec. 15 to receive complete coverage as early as Jan. 1, 2023. If you signed up for a health care plan from Dec. 16 through Jan. 15 and paid your premium, your coverage will begin Feb. 1.

Depending on your circumstances you may be eligible for special enrollment outside of those dates. Here’s how you may qualify:

You had a life-changing event in the past 60 days: The events include losing health coverage, a change in household income, having a baby, getting married, getting divorced, moving to a new ZIP code or if someone on your Marketplace plan died.

Note that if you moved to a new ZIP code, you must show proof that you had insurance for at least one day during the past 60 days, or that you’ll lose coverage in the next 60 days. Also, if you’ve lost your job and decide not to accept COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) coverage, you can still enroll in a Marketplace plan.

You’re applying for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP): If you’re applying for either of these programs, you can apply for health insurance via the Marketplace at any time. 

Other life circumstances that could qualify you: 

• You’re getting out of prison
• You just became a US citizen
• You’re starting or ending service in AmeriCorps 
• You’ve gained membership in a federally recognized tribe or status as an Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA)…