How Do You Buy Health Insurance (Safe)

The annual window for anyone to sign up or switch plans. For 2026 plans, this is January 15, 2026 in most states.

Most Americans get insurance through their job, where the employer typically pays a portion of the premium. 3. Compare Plan Types how do you buy health insurance

Depending on your situation, you have several avenues for purchasing: The annual window for anyone to sign up or switch plans

Buying health insurance is a multi-step process that involves assessing your medical needs, understanding various plan structures, and enrolling during specific windows of time. For 2026 coverage, most individuals can purchase insurance during the , which typically runs from November 1, 2025, to January 15, 2026 . 1. Identify Your Enrollment Window " such as getting married

A window outside of Open Enrollment triggered by "qualifying life events," such as getting married, having a baby, or losing existing coverage . 2. Choose Where to Shop

You can generally only buy health insurance during two specific times:

You can buy directly from companies like Anthem or Cigna off-exchange, though these plans are not eligible for federal subsidies.