Keep or change your insurance plan

Automatic re-enrollment: Keeps you covered, but it's better to update & shop 2019 plans

If you don't log in to update your application and enroll in a plan by December 15, 2018, you may be automatically enrolled in a 2019 plan. Automatic enrollment is a good fallback. But the best way to make sure you have a 2019 plan that works for you, with the savings you qualify for, is to log in, update your application, and view all your plan options for 2019.

The letter you get from your insurance company will say if you'll be automatically enrolled in your 2018 plan or a similar plan.

Act now: Log in to update, compare plans & enroll

If you'll be automatically enrolled, we strongly recommend you log in to your Marketplace account.

  • Update your application with your expected 2019 income and household information, and compare the plan you’re being offered with other 2019 plans.
  • You can enroll in any plan available to you through the Marketplace — the one you were expecting to be automatically enrolled in or any other.
  • You must enroll by December 15, 2018. Coverage starts January 1, 2019.

More answers: Automatic re-enrollment in health care

Why will I be automatically enrolled in a similar health plan?

Insurance companies sometimes decide to change which health plans they offer in the Marketplace. This is a normal part of their business operations. Your health insurance company may have decided not to offer your particular plan through the Marketplace in 2019.

If so, we'll enroll you in a 2019 plan with similar pricing and coverage to your 2018 plan. Your letter from your insurance company will explain.

You can accept the enrollment in the similar plan or compare your options and change plans.

Note: An insurance company can't move you to a different plan based on your health or how much care you use. It can move you only if it's no longer offering the plan you had to anyone in your area. Learn about how insurance companies can price plans.

What if I don't like the plan I'll be enrolled in automatically, or the premium has gone up?

You can log in to your HealthCare.gov account until December 15, 2018, to update your application and enroll in any available 2019 Marketplace plan.

Note: An insurance company can't move you to a different plan based on your health or how much care you use. It can move you only if it's no longer offering the plan you had to anyone in your area. Learn about how insurance companies can price plans.

What if I won't be automatically enrolled?

Log in to your HealthCare.gov account by December 15, update your application, and check out the plans available to you for 2019. Preview 2019 plans and prices before you apply.

Can I stop the Marketplace from automatically enrolling me in coverage?

Yes. If you don’t want your current coverage to continue into 2019, you can choose to have your Marketplace coverage end on December 31, 2018. To do this:

  • Log into your HealthCare.gov account by December 15, 2018, and select your 2018 application — NOT your 2019 application.
  • On the "My Coverage" page of your 2018 application, select the blue “Stop Coverage for 2019” button at the bottom of the page.

    Note: If you don’t see this blue button, it may be too late in the year for you to stop the Marketplace from automatically enrolling you, or your plan may already be ending on December 31, 2018.

If you don’t take action by December 15, 2018, the Marketplace will automatically enroll you in your current coverage (or a similar plan) on December 16, 2018.

Before you prevent automatic enrollment for 2019 without picking a new plan, there are important things to consider.

  • There are significant health and financial benefits of having health coverage — and risks if you don’t. Nobody expects to get sick or hurt. But medical care without insurance is very expensive, so it’s important to have protection if the unexpected happens.
  • Health coverage also helps you get regular care, including free preventive services, to keep you healthy. Learn about the benefits of health coverage.
What if I stop the Marketplace from automatically enrolling me in coverage, but decide I still want coverage in 2019?

If you want Marketplace coverage in 2019, you need to complete a 2019 application before Open Enrollment ends on December 15, 2018.

How will I know when I've been automatically enrolled?

If you haven't updated your application and confirmed your 2019 health plan selection by December 15, you'll get a notice from the Marketplace saying which plan you've been enrolled in.

When you log in to your account on or after December 16, you may see a message telling you that we've automatically enrolled you in a plan for 2019. You'll find this on your "My Applications & Coverage" page.