During Open Enrollment in HealthCare.gov and some other states, if you enroll in a private health insurance plan by December 15 and make your first premium payment by the due date specified by your plan, your new health coverage starts January 1. If you sign up after December 15, your 2025 coverage will begin on February 1.

Additionally, if you sign up for a Marketplace plan during a special enrollment period, your coverage will take effect on the first day of the following month, even if you made your selection after the 15th of the month. This rule was formerly applicable to only Healthcare.gov enrollees, but starting in 2025 it will be extended to State-based Marketplace enrollees.

If you reside in a state with their own State-based Marketplace, click here for the link that will take you to the website for your State-based Marketplace for more information on when your coverage may take effect. If you are unsure whether you reside in a State-based Marketplace, or in a state where the Marketplace is offered on the Federal Platform (also known as a Healthcare.gov state or a State-Based Marketplace-Federal Platform), click here for more information.