Health Insurance After Leaving a Job
What happens to my health insurance after I leave a job?
Employer coverage typically ends on a date set by the plan, often the last day of your final month. Losing that coverage is generally a qualifying life event that opens a Special Enrollment Period, letting you enroll in individual coverage outside Open Enrollment. Continuation coverage such as COBRA may also be available. Timing windows are limited, so act early.
The most common mistake here is waiting. Special Enrollment Periods have deadlines measured in days, not months.
Continuation coverage keeps your existing plan and network but usually at the full unsubsidized cost, since the employer contribution ends.
Individual coverage may cost less, particularly if you qualify for financial help, but the network may differ from what you have now.
Important exceptions
- Specific windows, eligibility and documentation requirements vary — confirm the exact dates that apply to you.
- Voluntarily dropping coverage is treated differently from losing it.
- Coverage end dates differ by employer and plan.
Dave's perspective
“Call before your last day if you can. Almost every difficult situation I see in this category started with someone waiting until the coverage was already gone.”
Dave Gagleard · Dave Knows Health
Related information
Plan availability, eligibility, benefits, exclusions, underwriting requirements, enrollment periods and coverage vary by carrier, product and state.