ObamaCare Special Enrollment 2021: February 15, 2021 – May 15, 2021
2021 Special Enrollment in Response to COVID-19
There is a special enrollment period for 2021 in response to COVID-19. Special enrollment in HealthCare.Gov runs from February 15, 2021 to May 15, 2021.[1]
To apply during special enrollment simply visit HealthCare.Gov or call a CMS-approved broker. Learn more about signing up and check cost assistance eligibility and amounts.
2021 Special Enrollment Dates
- February 15, 2021: Special Enrollment begins.
- May 15, 2021: Special Enrollment ends.
There are no known extensions at this time.
2021 Special Enrollment in the Other States
This special enrollment period applies to the 36 states that use HealthCare.Gov. States that don’t use HealthCare.Gov are being strongly encouraged to create similar enrollment opportunities as well. Check your state’s website (you can find this through HealthCare.Gov by selecting your state), as most states are extending enrollment!
Why Is There a Special Enrollment Period?
This special enrollment is a result of an executive order to be signed by President Biden. It is a response to the coronavirus pandemic and a push to make sure more Americans have access to affordable quality healthcare.
What is Special Enrollment?
Special enrollment is a time outside of the normal open enrollment period for healthcare where you can sign up for coverage with cost assistance. Most special enrollment periods are triggered due to qualifying life events of a person, but the government can also create special enrollment periods.
Author: Thomas DeMichele
Thomas DeMichele is the head writer and founder of ObamaCareFacts.com, FactsOnMedicare.com, and other websites. He has been in the health insurance and healthcare information field since 2012. ObamaCareFacts.com is a...
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Kaylee
Year of birth looks like it’s at least 26 years old as calculator shows no year of birth option after 1995. What if your 23?
ObamaCareFacts.comThe Author
Thank you for the heads up, this is likely because if you are under 26 you can stay on your parent’s plan. I’ll look into it.
Karen Devine
What if we are retiring this year and only need coverage from August until the end of the year when we will enroll for 2022?
ObamaCareFacts.comThe Author
If you are retiring everything works the same pretty much. You can enroll during any enrollment period open to you for coverage starting the 1st of the following month (as a rule of thumb). If you want coverage with cost assistance and don’t have qualifying life circumstances, you may just want to enroll at the end of special enrollment in May. You’ll have coverage for a month or two you don’t need it for, but you’ll be covered when you do need it.
You can also look into short-term coverage options in this case. Temporary insurance was made for short-term situations. However, it won’t qualify for cost assistance.
Meanwhile, if you are leaving your job and losing insurance or have another life event, then you might qualify for special enrollment closer to your ideal enrollment date.
You have a few different solutions to your problem, it is going to be a personal choice which one you go with. Just make sure you take advantage to an enrollment window open to you if you do want to go that direction!