In general, customers who are eligible for a Special Enrollment Period after experiencing a Qualifying Life Event can expect coverage to start on the 1st (first) of the month following plan selection.
For example, if a customer selects and enrolls in a plan on April 30, their coverage will take effect on May 1. If a customer selects and enrolls in a plan on May 1, their coverage will not take effect until June 1, the first of the month following plan selection and enrollment.
Coverage start dates are determined by the enrollment submission date.
During Get Covered Illinois’s annual Open Enrollment Period, policy coverage start dates may vary. Coverage start dates for plan year 2026 open enrollment will be as follows:
- Enroll by December 15, coverage starts January 1
- Enroll by January 15, coverage starts February 1
NOTE: Get Covered Illinois cannot provide customers with retroactive coverage start dates.