Enrolling in a health plan · Houston, Texas · English y español
Enrolling, step by step. You can do this.
The forms feel scary. But underneath the scary parts, they're really just four questions asked many different ways: who's in your house, what you earn, where you live, and who needs coverage. Let's walk through it together.
When are you allowed to enroll?
There are two ways in. Missing your window is the most common mistake people make — so read this part first.
Open Enrollment
Roughly November 1 – January 15, in Texas
This is the one time each year anyone can enroll in a plan, or switch to a different one — no reason needed. Write the dates down. They can shift a little from year to year, so double-check before you wait until the last day.
Special Enrollment — a life change can open a window just for you
Lost job-based coverage
Your job ended, your hours dropped, or your employer stopped offering a plan.
Marriage or divorce
Either one can open a window to add or change coverage.
A new baby or adoption
Bringing a child into your home usually qualifies you right away.
Moved to a new area
A move that changes which health plans are available to you.
Lost Medicaid or CHIP
Your coverage through the state ended, or you no longer qualify.
Turned 26
Aged off a parent's health plan.
Read this part twice
The window does not wait for you.
The window is usually 60 days
Sixty days from the day it happened. It does not pause. It does not extend because nobody told you about it. If it closes, you generally wait for the next Open Enrollment.
Your start date depends on timing
When your coverage STARTS depends on when you finish enrolling. Finish late in the month, and you may not start until the month after next. Don't sit on it.
Not sure if your situation counts? Call 281.493.6862 — that question takes us two minutes.
The application, one step at a time.
Seven steps. None of them are hard by themselves — the trick is doing them in order, and not skipping the payment step.
Gather five things
Photo ID, Social Security numbers (or immigration document numbers) for everyone applying, your best guess at this year's income before taxes, your home address, and — if you lost other coverage — the date it ended.
Household
Who lives with you, and who you claim on your taxes. The form asks this several different ways — it's the same question every time.
Income
Your best estimate for THIS year, before taxes. If your pay changes month to month, give an honest average — you can update it later, and you should whenever it changes.
Compare plans
Don't just sort by the cheapest monthly price. Check that your doctors and medicines are covered, and look at the out-of-pocket maximum — the most you'd pay in a bad year.
Pick and confirm
Choose your plan, then read the confirmation screen all the way to the end before you close the window.
PAY THE FIRST PREMIUM
Your coverage is NOT active until the first month is paid. This is the step people miss most often.
Save everything
Screenshots of your confirmation, and your member ID once it arrives. A real ID card usually comes by mail within a few weeks — the carrier's online member portal usually shows it sooner.
What the form looks like
Every marketplace application asks for fields like these. Yours may look a little different, but nothing in it is a trick.
Stuck on any step?
Stop. Call 281.493.6862.
Walking you through this is free, and faster than guessing. Don't know a word on the form? The glossary explains all of them.