FACT SHEET
PI-242A (R 3/2023)
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Health Insurance After Job Loss
If you have lost your health insurance coverage, the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) and other
state agencies have put together this brief guide that can help you make informed decisions about which option is best for
you and your family.
Buying Health Insurance on HealthCare.gov
What is HealthCare.gov?
HealthCare.gov is the website that is run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and allows
individuals and families to shop for and enroll in health insurance plans. It is the online Marketplace created as part
of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
What kind of plans are available through HealthCare.gov?
Plans on the HealthCare.gov Marketplace are presented in four “metal” categories: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and
Platinum. Metal categories are based on how you and your plan split the costs of your health care (monthly
premiums, deductibles, etc.); they have nothing to do with the quality of care itself. The cost of coverage will vary
depending on factors such as the type of plan you select, your income, and your location. Depending on your
income, you might qualify for subsidies to help pay for your coverage.
Keep in mind that low-cost Bronze plans might have high deductibles. That may mean you have to pay a lot of
money out of pocket to receive health care before your health insurance starts paying.
Silver plans may be the best choice for many individuals and families. Silver plans may have no-cost or low-cost
coverage for you to see a doctor or use the emergency room even though the monthly cost may be slightly more
than a Bronze plan.
I thought the open enrollment period was already over for HealthCare.gov. Can I still enroll?
If you have just lost your health insurance, you are eligible for a 60-day special enrollment period. You can work with
an enrollment assister, an insurance agent, or use HealthCare.gov to enroll in a new insurance plan. You may also
qualify for a special enrollment period if you have experienced a life event such as moving, getting married, having a
baby, or adopting a child.
If you are an American Indian or Alaska Native who is a member of a federally recognized tribe or Alaska Native
Claims Settlement Act Corporation shareholder, you qualify for special monthly Marketplace enrollment periods. As
an American Indian or Alaska Native, you can sign up for coverage on HealthCare.gov any time and change your
insurance once a month if you want.
How do I get help enrolling in health insurance this way?
• Call 2-1-1 for free, expert help that is available in multiple languages.
• Visit WisCovered.com to get connected with free, expert help in English, Spanish, and Hmong
• Call 608-261-1455 or 414-270-4677 for help from Covering Wisconsin.
• Call an insurance agent near you. Find agents here: localhelp.healthcare.gov