Enrollment periods

Open enrollment period

For most people the time to enroll in health coverage or change your health plan is during the open enrollment period. 

If you enroll or change plans between Nov. 1 and Dec. 15, coverage will begin Jan. 1 of the next year. If you take action between Dec. 16 and Jan. 15, your covered will begin Feb. 1.

Special enrollment period

If you miss open enrollment or experience a qualifying life event, you may be able to enroll or change plans mid-year. Qualifying life events are listed below. There may be another exceptional circumstances special enrollment period available to you. If you have experienced another major life event, it is best to contact a health coverage expert for one-on-one help.

 Marriage

You may be able to enroll or change your health plan within 60 days of marriage. If you choose a new plan before the end of the month, your new plan will start the first of the next month. You may need to provide proof of your marriage to qualify.

Having a baby, adopting a child, or having a child placed in your home

When you add a family member to your household, you may be able to add them to your health plan within 60 days of their birth, adoption, or placement. Coverage will begin the date of the event. You may need to provide proof of the baby's birth, child's adoption, or placement to qualify.

Involuntary loss of health coverage

If you lose employer-sponsored coverage, Oregon Health Plan, COBRA health coverage, or other health coverage involuntarily, you may be able to enroll through the Marketplace. Your insurer must have deemed you no longer eligible or you must have lost coverage because you left a job if you were laid off or quit. If your insurer or employer requires you to take action for your coverage to continue and you do not take action, it is not considered an involuntary loss of coverage. You will likely need to provide proof of why your coverage ended to qualify.

If you are elgible to shop due to an involuntary loss of coverage, you can submit your application within 60 days before your coverage is ending or within 60 days after your coverage has ended. If you enroll in new coverage before the end of the month, your coverage will begin on the first of the next month.

Moving to a new home

If you are permanently moving to a new residence in Oregon, whether from out-of-state, across town, or a new city, you may qualify to change health plans or enroll in new coverage. You will likely need to provide proof of your move and that you had health coverage within 60 days before moving to qualify. Your coverage will begin the first of the month following enrollment if you submitted your enrollment by the 15th of the month.

Divorce, legal separation, or death

You may qualify to enroll in a new health plan if someone in your household has passed away or if you get divorced, if you also lost coverage due to the divorce or death or if your eligibility for financial assistance changed. You may need to provide proof of the divorce or death and the corresponding eligibility change or loss of coverage to qualify. Your coverage will begin the first of the month following your enrollment if you enroll by the 15th of the month, unless you qualify due to loss of coverage. If you also lost health coverage, you have until the end of the month to enroll for the coverage to start the first of the following month.

Newly gaining eligible immigration status

If you newly gain an eligible immigration status, you may qualify for a special enrollment period. You may need to provide proof of your new immigration status and the date it was issued to enroll. Coverage will begin the first of the month following the month you enroll if you enroll by the 15th of the month.

Release from incarceration

If you are serving time in a jal or prision, you are considered incarcerated and are not eligble for health coverage through the Marketplace. When you are released from incarceration, even if you are on probation, parole, or home confinement, you may be eligible to enroll in health coverage. You must enroll within 60 days of your release and may need to provide proof of your release date. Coverage will begin the first of the month following your enrollment if you enroll by the 15th of the month.