Can I Enroll in Health Insurance Anytime?

Coverage Not Tied to Open Enrollment

Short-Term Medical Insurance

In states that allow short-term plans, you can apply any day; if you’re approved, the insurer sets your start date. Short-term medical (STM) plans aren’t tied to Open Enrollment, but some states, including Illinois, don’t allow them. Short-term plans are temporary coverage, and how long you can keep one depends on your state and the plan, from 3 months or less in some states to longer terms with renewals where state law allows. Premiums are usually lower than full-price ACA coverage and depend on your age, state and plan design. Important: STM is NOT ACA-compliant — it is medically underwritten and does not cover pre-existing conditions, maternity, or all essential health benefits. Best for healthy individuals bridging to the next Open Enrollment or between jobs.

Private PPO and EPO Plans (Outside the Marketplace)

FreedInsure also offers private PPO and EPO plans sold outside the ACA Marketplace. Some use the Cigna PPO network; others use networks such as First Health. You can apply for them outside Open Enrollment, but approval depends on each plan’s eligibility rules and underwriting, and the start date depends on the plan — we confirm both in writing before you buy. Benefits vary widely: some are group health plans whose Summary of Benefits and Coverage says they provide minimum essential coverage, while others are limited-benefit plans with caps on visits and hospital stays. A “PPO” label doesn’t guarantee out-of-network coverage; some plans that use a PPO network cover in-network care only, except emergencies. In the plan documents we reviewed, stated in-network deductibles for group-style PPO/EPO plans ran about $5,000–$9,000 for one person. Ask us to confirm in writing how a plan handles pre-existing conditions; Marketplace plans must cover them. See private PPO options →

Group-style PPO/EPO plans (sold outside the Marketplace): Plans in this category we see often run roughly $500–$950/month for a healthy single adult, depending on age, state, network and underwriting. Price ranges are examples of monthly quotes we commonly see as of fall 2026, not offers or guarantees. Your rate depends on age, state, household size, network, plan design and each plan’s eligibility and underwriting rules. Premiums are separate from what you pay when you get care (deductibles, copays and coinsurance). Some quotes in this range include a separate hospital and accident gap policy.

Important: Plans sold outside the ACA Marketplace may be subject to underwriting, age limits, state availability and each plan’s own eligibility rules. Not all plans are available in all states. Rates are not guaranteed and can change. Benefits, limits and exclusions are set by the official plan document or policy, which controls if it differs from this page. This page is a general summary, not a contract or an offer of coverage. These plans are not sold through the ACA Health Insurance Marketplace (HealthCare.gov or your state’s exchange) and are not individual-market ACA plans. You can’t use a premium tax credit or cost-sharing reduction to pay for them. As HealthCare.gov puts it, “the only way to get the premium tax credit is through the Marketplace.” Cigna and First Health are provider networks, not insurance companies, and they don’t pay claims. A plan that uses the Cigna or First Health network sets its own benefits and pays claims through its own administrator. Before you get care, confirm your doctor or facility is in network using the directory and phone number on your plan ID card. Group-style PPO/EPO plans: This is a group health plan offered through a sponsoring employer or organization, not an individual ACA plan. Its Summary of Benefits and Coverage states that it provides minimum essential coverage and meets the minimum value standard. If you are eligible for certain types of minimum essential coverage, you may not be eligible for the premium tax credit. Eligibility is set by the plan document. Some services, such as imaging, surgery and hospital stays, need pre-certification before you get them. If you skip it, the plan may charge a penalty ($500 in the plans we reviewed), and in most of those plans the penalty doesn’t count toward your out-of-pocket limit. PPO designs with out-of-network benefits: Out-of-network providers may bill you for the difference between their charge and what the plan pays. That amount doesn’t count toward your out-of-pocket limit. Out-of-network preventive care and prescriptions are not covered. Limited-benefit plans: This is a limited-benefit plan. It pays for a defined list of services, with copays, visit and day limits, and caps on hospital stays, and it excludes some major treatments. Its plan materials don’t state that it meets ACA coverage standards or that it counts as minimum essential coverage. Costs above the plan’s limits are yours to pay. Benefits are subject to the governing plan document. Copays apply after the deductible unless the plan says otherwise.

Medicaid and CHIP

No enrollment period whatsoever. Medicaid and CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) accept applications year-round. If you qualify based on income (138% FPL in expansion states — approximately $22,025 individual, $45,540 family of 4 under the 2026 poverty guidelines), you can apply any day. Once you’re approved, Medicaid can also cover some care from before you applied: up to 3 months before the application month, and for applications made on or after January 1, 2027, 1 month for expansion adults and 2 months for most others.

Supplemental Insurance

THIS IS A SUPPLEMENT TO HEALTH INSURANCE AND IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR MAJOR MEDICAL COVERAGE. LACK OF MAJOR MEDICAL COVERAGE (OR OTHER MINIMUM ESSENTIAL COVERAGE) MAY RESULT IN AN ADDITIONAL PAYMENT WITH YOUR TAXES.

Accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, dental, and vision insurance aren’t tied to an enrollment period, so you can apply any time of year. They don’t replace major medical coverage: accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity plans pay set cash amounts for covered events and don’t cap your costs (you pay any charges above those amounts, there’s no out-of-pocket maximum, and they aren’t minimum essential coverage), and dental and vision plans help with routine care. Start dates and waiting periods vary by plan. Supplemental options →

Life Insurance

Life insurance isn’t tied to an enrollment period. Term, whole life, IUL, and final expense can be purchased any day of the year. Some no-exam policies can be approved in minutes to days. Life insurance options →

Enrollment Windows at a Glance

More Coverage Options