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Health Insurance Marketplace

undefined Health Insurance Marketplace?


The Health Insurance Marketplace helps you find health coverage that fits your needs and budget. Every health plan in the Marketplace offers the same set of essential health benefits, including doctor visits, preventive care, hospitalization, prescriptions, and more. You can compare plans based on price, benefits, quality, and other features important to you before you make a choice.

With one application, you’ll see if you qualify for free or low-cost coverage through Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or for savings on a Marketplace plan. Most people who apply will qualify for some kind of savings.

Every person in the U.S. must have minimum health coverage or pay a fee.

The Health Insurance Marketplace helps you find health coverage that fits your needs and budget. Every health plan in the Marketplace offers the same set of essential health benefits, including doctor visits, preventive care, hospitalization, prescriptions, and more. You can compare plans based on price, benefits, quality, and other features important to you before you make a choice.

With one application, you’ll see if you qualify for free or low-cost coverage through Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or for savings on a Marketplace plan. Most people who apply will qualify for some kind of savings.

Every person in the U.S. must have minimum health coverage or pay a fee.

undefined Health Insurance Marketplace?


To be eligible to use the Health Insurance Marketplace, you:

  • Must live in the United States
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or national (or be lawfully present)
  • Cannot be in prison

No matter what state you live in, you can use the Marketplace. Some states operate their own Marketplace. In other states, the Marketplace is run by the federal government.

Get a quick Marketplace overview on the "A quick guide to the Health Insurance Marketplace" page to help you apply.

undefined Health Insurance Marketplace?


Open Enrollment Period is the only time you can enroll in a Marketplace plan. You can enroll in Medicaid or CHIP at anytime.

During the Open Enrollment Period, you can apply for a Marketplace plan online, by phone, with a paper application, or with the help of a trained assister in your community. Learn more about applying on the How to apply & enroll page.

Some people may qualify for Special Enrollment Periods, which allow them to enroll in a Marketplace plan outside of Open Enrollment if they have certain life events, like getting married, having a baby, or losing other coverage.


For more information, visit HealthCare.gov or call the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. TTY users should call 1-855-889-4325.