Millions of families across the United States are receiving letters in 2026 informing them that they have lost their Medicaid or CHIP coverage, mainly because states ended the pandemic-era protections and resumed annual redeterminations. If you received a Medicaid loss letter, the first thing you should know is that you are not out of options: the Health Insurance Marketplace (ACA / Obamacare) has a special enrollment period set aside for exactly this situation, and many families end up paying less in the Marketplace than they expected.
When you lose Medicaid you get a 60-day Special Enrollment Period (SEP) from the date your coverage ends to enroll in a Marketplace plan without waiting for the Open Enrollment Period. In 2026, the extended subsidies from the Inflation Reduction Act are still in place, which means many families qualify for very low or $0 monthly premiums and extra reductions that lower copays and deductibles. What matters most: apply before the 60 days run out, because after that you will have to wait for the Open Enrollment Period (November 1 to January 15) and could be left without insurance for several months.
To apply, you need your ID, proof of income (recent pay stubs or last year’s tax return), information about your dependents, and the Medicaid loss letter if you have it. The full process can be completed online, by phone, or with the help of a licensed agent, who does not charge to guide you through comparing plans from multiple insurance companies. If your situation involves an immigration status that previously qualified you for emergency Medicaid or pregnancy Medicaid, it is also worth reviewing the Marketplace options, because eligibility rules for subsidies are different and broader than many people think.
