If you're reading this, you probably didn't sign up for health insurance during Open Enrollment. Maybe the premiums were too high, or perhaps you thought you'd be fine without coverage for a while. Now, whether you're dealing with an unexpected health issue or simply worried about the "what ifs," you're wondering: what are my options if I want health insurance now?
You're not alone. With so many Americans facing higher premiums and reduced subsidies this year, its estimated at least one million chose to go without coverage for 2026. But, there is good news. Missing Open Enrollment doesn't mean you're out of options. Here is what's available to you right now.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace, also known as Obamacare, only allows enrollment from November through mid-January each year. If you missed that window, you generally can't enroll in a plan there until next year unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (more on that below).
This leaves many people in a vulnerable position. Without coverage, a single emergency room visit can cost thousands of dollars, and ongoing medical conditions become burdens that grow worse over time, both physically and financially.
But that doesn’t mean game over for you: the ACA marketplace isn't the only option.
Before exploring alternatives to standard health insurance, it's worth checking whether you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. These are specific circumstances that allow you to enroll in ACA marketplace plans outside of Open Enrollment.
You can have a shot on the marketplace if you experienced:
You typically have 60 days from the qualifying event to enroll. If any of these apply to you, reach out to us, and we can help you navigate the enrollment process and find plans that fit your budget.
If you lost other coverage, we can also work to ensure you stay with the same carrier, keep your drug formularies, or ensure you get proper coverage for your treatments or doctors.
If you don't qualify for an SEP, short-term health insurance plans offer a potential solution. These plans are designed to be a temporary plan for coverage and are available for enrollment throughout the year.
Pros:
Cons:
Who they're good for: Short-term plans work well for relatively healthy individuals who need catastrophic coverage but find ACA premiums unaffordable. They're especially useful if you're between jobs, waiting for employer coverage to start, or anticipating a qualifying event for ACA enrollment in the near future.
Health sharing ministries offer a unique approach to managing medical costs. These are often faith-based organizations where members pool together their funds and share each other's medical expenses.
How they work:
Members pay a monthly "share" amount (similar to a premium) into a common pool. When you have eligible medical expenses, the ministry facilitates sharing those costs among members. Most programs have an initial “unshareable” amount (similar to a deductible) that you pay before sharing begins.
Pros:
Cons:
Who they're good for: Health sharing ministries appeal to people who value faith-based community support and want lower monthly costs. They work best for those who understand the difference between this and traditional insurance. This coverage depends on the decisions of that ministry, not the regulations of the Marketplace.
For those on a tight budget, minimum essential coverage and MiniMed plans provide basic health benefits at very affordable rates.
These plans typically cover essential services like doctor visits, preventive care, and prescription drugs, though with lower maximum benefits than comprehensive insurance. They're designed to provide access to routine care and some protection against everyday medical expenses while saving a good chunk on premiums in comparison to standard health coverage.
Pros:
Cons:
Who they're good for: MiniMed plans are excellent for people needing regular access to doctors and prescriptions but can't afford Marketplace insurance premiums. They provide some support for routine care while keeping monthly costs manageable.
While not insurance, Direct Primary Care memberships might be an option you have heard of before.
For a monthly membership fee (often $50-150), you get unlimited access to your primary care physician, including office visits, basic lab work, and some procedures. So hearing this, you might understand the downside: this is only going to cover services provided at your primary doctor’s office. So, no urgent care, no hospital/emergency, no specialists, just a way to see your primary doctor.
If you want this plus coverage if you run into an emergency, it can be paired with a catastrophic coverage or accident-only plan for a makeshift healthcare strategy while you wait for the next Open Enrollment.
And if you just want to wait until Open Enrollment, we understand that, too. If you're truly unable to afford any coverage at all right now, there are some resources for accessing care:
However, going without any coverage leaves you completely exposed to catastrophic medical bills. Even a broken bone or brief hospitalization can result in tens of thousands of dollars in debt.
While the best choice is often to snag coverage during OEP, it's not the only choice. If you are going to take the road less travelled, be sure to consider the factors that will most likely affect that decision.
The truth is, any coverage is better than no coverage when it comes to protecting yourself from medical bankruptcy and ensuring access to care when you need it.