Congratulations on your new baby! How you’ll get coverage for your baby depends on your current insurance status.
If you don’t have health insurance:
Having a baby qualifies you for a Special Enrollment Period. This means you can enroll in or change 2022 Marketplace coverage. When you enroll in the new plan, your coverage can start the day your baby was born.
Apply within 60 days after your baby’s birth. Your plan can cover you, your baby, and any other household members.
It’s important to have access to health care services for both new parents and baby. With Marketplace coverage, you can get preventive benefits, like well-baby visits.
Learn more about Special Enrollment Periods and how to apply.
If you have a Marketplace plan:
You can keep your current plan and add your baby to your coverage.
Update your Marketplace application within 60 days of your baby’s birth. Your coverage options and savings may change.
You can create a separate enrollment group for your baby and enroll them in any plan for the rest of the year since having a baby qualifies you for a Special Enrollment Period. (You can’t change plans, but you can select any plan available to your baby.)
If you have Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage:
If you’re found eligible during your pregnancy, you’ll be covered for 60 days after you give birth.
After 60 days, you may no longer qualify. Your state Medicaid or CHIP agency will notify you if your coverage is ending. You can enroll in a Marketplace plan during this time to avoid a break in coverage.
If you have Medicaid when you give birth, your baby is automatically enrolled in Medicaid coverage, and they’ll remain eligible for at least a year.