Moving to a new state is one of the few life events that lets you enroll in a new health insurance plan outside of open enrollment. You have a 60-day window to act, and missing it can leave you uninsured until the next open enrollment period in November. Here is exactly what to do, what you qualify for, and how to avoid a coverage gap in 2026.
Does Moving to a New State Qualify for a Special Enrollment Period?
Yes. A permanent move to a new state qualifies as a life event that triggers a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) under the Affordable Care Act. The SEP gives you 60 days from the date of your move to enroll in a new marketplace plan in your new state.
There is one key requirement: you must have had qualifying health coverage for at least one day during the 60 days before your move. If you were uninsured before relocating, you generally do not qualify for this SEP. According to healthcare.gov, the move must also be permanent. You cannot temporarily relocate to take advantage of more generous coverage in another state.
Your coverage in your old state does not transfer. Individual and marketplace plans are sold at the state level, so even if you had ACA coverage before, you need to re-enroll in a plan in your new state.
What Happens to Your Current Coverage?
| Coverage Type | What Happens When You Move |
|---|
| ACA Marketplace Plan | Coverage ends. You must enroll in a new state plan within 60 days. |
| Medicaid | Does not transfer. Must reapply in new state immediately. |
| Employer-Sponsored Insurance | May continue if employer is multi-state; check with HR first. |
| Medicare (Parts A and B) | Continues in any state. May need to switch Part D or Advantage plans. |
| CHIP (for children) | Does not transfer. Must reapply in new state. |
ACA Marketplace Plans: Your 60-Day Window
When you move to a new state, your 60-day SEP begins on the date you establish residency. The earliest your new coverage can start is the first day of the month following enrollment. For example, if you move on May 15 and enroll on May 20, coverage begins June 1.
To use your SEP through healthcare.gov, you will need to:
- Update your address in your existing account (or create a new account if you did not have one).
- Select your new state.
- Confirm your move. The marketplace will ask for a document proving your new address.
- Compare plans and enroll in a new plan in your new state.
States that run their own exchanges, such as California (Covered California), New York (NY State of Health), and Washington (Washington Healthplanfinder), have separate portals. If you move to one of these states, you enroll through the state exchange, not healthcare.gov.
2026 ACA Subsidy Income Limits
Subsidies in 2026 are based on the 2025 federal poverty guidelines. Note that the enhanced premium tax credits that were in place from 2021 through 2025 expired on January 1, 2026. The subsidy cliff has returned, meaning subsidies are only available up to 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL). Per kff.org, this is a significant change from recent years.
ACA Premium Tax Credit Income Limits, 2026
| Household Size | Minimum Income (100% FPL) | Maximum Income (400% FPL) |
|---|
| 1 | $15,650 | $62,600 |
| 2 | $21,150 | $84,600 |
| 3 | $26,650 | $106,600 |
| 4 | $32,150 | $128,600 |
| 5 | $37,650 | $150,600 |
| 6 | $43,150 | $172,600 |
| 7 | $48,650 | $194,600 |
| 8 | $54,150 | $216,600 |
| Each additional | +$5,500 | +$22,000 |
Source: 2025 Federal Poverty Guidelines (aspe.hhs.gov), used for 2026 coverage year.
If your income falls below 100% FPL and you move to a state that has expanded Medicaid, you will likely qualify for Medicaid instead of marketplace coverage.
Medicaid: You Must Reapply in Your New State
Medicaid does not follow you across state lines. Each state operates its own Medicaid program with different income limits, benefit rules, and application processes. When you move, you need to close your Medicaid case in your old state (or at minimum notify them of your move) and apply fresh in your new state.
The good news: there is no minimum residency period to apply for Medicaid. You can apply the day you arrive in your new state. Federal law also allows Medicaid to cover services retroactively up to three months before your application date if you would have been eligible during that period.
As of 2026, most states that expanded Medicaid under the ACA cover adults earning up to 138% FPL. That equals about $21,597 per year for an individual or $44,367 for a family of four. States that did not expand Medicaid have far narrower income limits. According to medicaid.gov, expansion status is one of the biggest variables affecting eligibility when you move.
Before you move, look up whether your destination state has expanded Medicaid. If you are leaving an expansion state for a non-expansion state, you could lose Medicaid eligibility even if your income stays the same.
How to Apply for New Health Insurance After Moving
Follow these steps to avoid a gap in coverage.
Before your move:
- Contact your current insurer or marketplace to determine your last covered day.
- Gather documents you will need for the new state application.
- Research whether your destination state has expanded Medicaid and what income limits apply.
- Identify whether your new state uses healthcare.gov or its own exchange.
After your move (act within 60 days):
- Go to healthcare.gov or your new state's exchange portal.
- Create or update your account with your new address.
- Select the SEP reason: "I moved to a new zip code or county."
- Upload proof of your new address.
- Compare available plans and select one.
- Confirm enrollment and pay your first premium.
For Medicaid, go directly to your new state's Medicaid agency website or apply through healthcare.gov, which routes Medicaid applications to the appropriate state agency.
Documents Needed
- Proof of new address (lease agreement, utility bill, bank statement, or government document showing new address)
- Government-issued ID
- Proof of prior coverage (insurance card, explanation of benefits, or letter from prior insurer)
- Income documentation (pay stubs, tax return, or employer letter)
- Social Security numbers for all household members enrolling
Common Reasons Applications Get Denied
- No proof of prior coverage (required to unlock the moving SEP)
- Income documented inconsistently between application and supporting documents
- Missing household member information
- Applying after the 60-day SEP window has closed
- Move classified as temporary rather than permanent
What About Employer-Sponsored Coverage?
If your health insurance comes through your job and you are staying with the same employer, check whether your plan covers providers in your new location. Many employer plans are national PPOs that continue regardless of where you live. If you have an HMO tied to a specific service area, your employer may be required to offer you a different plan option when you move. Contact your HR department before your move date to understand your options and any enrollment deadlines.
If your move is connected to a job change, losing employer coverage is itself a separate qualifying life event that triggers a 60-day SEP on top of the moving SEP.
Medicare: The Good News
If you are enrolled in Original Medicare (Parts A and B), your coverage is nationwide and continues automatically when you move. You do not need to re-enroll.
However, if you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan or a standalone Part D drug plan, those plans are regional. When you move to a new state, you have a Special Enrollment Period to switch to a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan that covers your new area. Contact your current plan to report your move and ask about your options. Per medicare.gov, you generally have from the month before the move through two months after to switch plans.
2026 Enrollment Timeline: Key Dates
- ACA Open Enrollment: November 1 through January 15, 2026 (for coverage starting January 1 or February 1, 2026)
- Moving SEP: 60 days from the date of your permanent move (year-round)
- Medicaid: Open year-round; no enrollment window restrictions
- Medicare SEP for movers: One month before move through two months after
Outside of open enrollment, the moving SEP is your primary pathway to ACA coverage. Use it.
Check Your Eligibility Before You Enroll
Income limits, plan options, and Medicaid eligibility vary by state. A screener can quickly tell you which programs you qualify for based on your new state, household size, and income before you spend time filling out a full application.
Check your eligibility now at CoveredUSA, it takes 2 minutes.
See if you qualify at coveredusa.org/screener
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to switch health insurance after moving to a new state?
You have 60 days from the date of your permanent move to enroll in a new ACA marketplace plan. This is called a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). If you miss the 60-day window, you will need to wait until the next open enrollment period, which runs November 1 through January 15 for coverage starting in 2026.
Does my health insurance follow me when I move to a new state?
No. Individual market plans and Medicaid are state-specific. You must enroll in a new plan in your destination state. Medicare (Parts A and B) is the exception and follows you nationwide, though Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are regional and may need to be switched.
Can I keep my Medicaid when I move to a different state?
No. Medicaid does not transfer between states. You must notify your old state that you are moving, and then apply for Medicaid in your new state. There is no waiting period to apply, and coverage can start the same month in many cases. Eligibility rules and income limits differ by state, so approval is not guaranteed even if you were enrolled before.
What proof do I need to show I moved for the special enrollment period?
You need documentation showing your new address, such as a signed lease, a mortgage statement, a utility bill, or a piece of official government mail. You also typically need to show proof that you had qualifying coverage for at least one day in the 60 days before your move.
What if I move to a state that did not expand Medicaid?
If your income is below 100% of the federal poverty level and you move to a non-expansion state, you may fall into the coverage gap: too little income for marketplace subsidies and not eligible for your new state's Medicaid. If this applies to you, check whether your income qualifies for any state-specific programs. Common non-expansion states as of 2026 include Texas, Florida, and Georgia.
Will I still get subsidies after moving states?
Yes, if your income qualifies. Subsidy amounts are recalculated based on the cost of the benchmark plan in your new area. In 2026, subsidies are available for incomes between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level. The enhanced subsidies that extended eligibility above 400% FPL have expired for 2026.
Can I enroll in a new plan before I actually move?
Generally, no. The healthcare.gov SEP for moving does not allow advance enrollment. Your enrollment window starts on the date you move, and coverage begins the first of the following month. Plan accordingly to minimize any gap between your old coverage ending and new coverage starting.
What if I am currently uninsured and moving to a new state?
If you were uninsured before your move, you do not qualify for the moving SEP. Your options are to apply for Medicaid (if your income qualifies), wait for open enrollment starting November 1, or check whether your new state runs a special program. Some states have their own year-round enrollment options outside the federal rules.
