Open Enrollment begins November 1st!

Open Enrollment is the time of year to shop around for a health insurance plan on the Health Insurance Marketplace. If you are new to insurance, we encourage you to start by reading about Health Insurance Basics.

Through the Health Insurance Marketplace (www.HealthCare.gov), individuals and families can apply for and enroll in private or public health insurance plans. This includes Montana Medicaid and Healthy Montana Kids. Healthcare.gov’s single, streamlined application will connect each member of a household to the plan that they are eligible for. For many families, this means that children may become eligible for Healthy Montana Kids, while the parents may become eligible to purchase a private health insurance plan. They may even receive tax credits to offset the cost of their premium.

Remember: the Health Insurance Marketplace is the only place where you can take advantage of the new Advanced Premium Tax Credit (APTC). These new tax credits help more than 85% of enrolled Montanans pay for their health insurance. See what you qualify for with our calculator!

What You Need To Apply For Coverage

• When you apply for coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace, you’ll need some basic information. This Includes personal information about everyone in your tax household, information about current coverage, and an estimate of your yearly income. You can find a printable list of information to bring. While you can save your Marketplace application and return later to complete it, the process is much faster if you have all the information you need before you begin.
• The online application at healthcare.gov requires an email address, but you can also apply by phone. Cover Montana’s enrollment assisters can do phone enrollments, just call the Cover Montana Help Line: 1-866-682-6837. If you work with an enrollment assister on your application, they can help you sign up for an email account and walk you through the process.

How to Apply For Coverage and Get Covered

1. Work with an enrollment assister. You can complete an application on your own or work with a Navigator, Certified Application Counselor, or Certified Exchange Producer (insurance agent). Enrollment assisters are ready to help and with just your zip code you can find local help. Remember, their help is always free and confidential. They will help you get covered!
2. You can apply over the phone or virtually with the help of the Cover Montana Help Line: 1-866-682-6837.
3. You can apply online at HealthCare.gov.

Have questions? Check out the Cover Montana Frequently Asked Questions page and glossary of insurance terms.