Quick answer
You can switch health insurance during open enrollment (for 2027 coverage on HealthCare.gov, November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027) or within 60 days of a qualifying life event, like losing other coverage, moving or having a baby. To avoid a gap, have the new plan start the day after the old one ends, pay the first premium, and cancel the old plan only after the new one is confirmed.
Key takeaways
- Most people can switch only during open enrollment or a special enrollment period.
- Losing job-based coverage gives you 60 days to pick a new plan, and you can apply up to 60 days before it ends.
- ACA plans can’t deny you or charge you more because of a pre-existing condition.
- Your deductible usually starts over if you switch in the middle of the year.
- Check doctors, prescriptions and approvals for ongoing treatment before you switch.
On this page
When you can switch
| Coverage | When you can switch |
|---|---|
| Marketplace plans (HealthCare.gov) | Open enrollment, November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027 (by December 15 for a January 1 start), or within 60 days of a qualifying life event |
| State-run marketplaces | Dates vary. California, New Jersey, New York and DC run to January 31 |
| Job-based plans | Your employer’s annual open enrollment, or within at least 30 days of a qualifying event |
| Medicare | October 15 to December 7 each year. Medicare Advantage members can also switch from January 1 to March 31 |
| Medicaid and CHIP | Any time you qualify |
Qualifying life events include losing other coverage, moving to a new area, getting married, having or adopting a baby, and certain income changes. Dropping a plan on purpose or not paying premiums doesn’t count.
How to switch without a gap
- Choose the start date. Marketplace coverage usually starts the first of the month after you pick a plan. If you’re losing coverage, pick a plan before it ends so the new one starts right after.
- Pay the first premium. Your new coverage isn’t active until you do.
- End the old plan. Set it to end the day before the new plan starts. If you switch between marketplace plans, the old one usually ends automatically, but check your account.
- Keep proof of your coverage dates in case a claim lands in the overlap.
Leaving a job: COBRA or a marketplace plan?
- COBRA keeps your same plan, usually for 18 months, but you can be charged up to 102% of the full premium. You have 60 days to sign up, and coverage is retroactive once you pay.
- A marketplace plan may cost much less with a premium tax credit. Losing job-based coverage opens a 60-day enrollment window.
- If you choose COBRA and later drop it voluntarily, that doesn’t open a new enrollment window. Running out of COBRA does.
See health insurance for the unemployed and COBRA health insurance.
Protect your ongoing care
- Doctors. Confirm your doctors are in the new network.
- Prescriptions. Check the new plan’s drug list, and ask about a transition fill if a drug isn’t on it.
- Approvals. Prior authorizations usually don’t carry over. Ask the new plan early if you’re in the middle of treatment.
- Records. Ask your doctors to send records if you’re changing providers.
- Costs. Your deductible and out-of-pocket maximum usually start over with the new plan.
Can short-term insurance fill a gap?
It can, but carefully. Short-term plans can refuse to cover pre-existing conditions and leave out benefits like maternity care and prescriptions. A 2024 federal rule limits them to four months, but in 2025 federal agencies said they won’t prioritize enforcing it, and some states ban these plans entirely. Timing your switch to avoid a gap is usually the better move.
Before the ACA, switching insurers could mean a new waiting period for pre-existing conditions. That’s no longer allowed for ACA plans.
Ready to switch? Compare plans and prices by ZIP code.
Frequently asked questions
Can I switch health insurance at any time?
Usually not. You need open enrollment or a qualifying life event. Medicaid and CHIP are the exception: you can enroll whenever you qualify.
Will switching plans reset my deductible?
Usually, yes. What you paid toward your old plan’s deductible typically doesn’t carry over. Some insurers give credit if you switch between their own plans, so ask.
Can I switch because I’m unhappy with my insurer?
Not in the middle of the year, unless you have a qualifying life event. You can switch at the next open enrollment.
How do I cancel my old plan?
For a marketplace plan, end it in your HealthCare.gov or state marketplace account. For other plans, call the insurer, or talk to HR for a job-based plan. Choose an end date that lines up with your new coverage.
Sources
This article is general information, not insurance advice. Enrollment dates and rules vary by state and plan. Last reviewed September 2026.