Understanding Medical Insurance Expiration: When Does Coverage End?

Employment-based health insurance is the most common type of coverage in the U.S., so quitting a job is likely to affect your insurance status. If you have an employment-based insurance plan, coverage typically ends on your last day of work or the last day of the month in which you leave your job. You may be able to continue receiving coverage through your employer’s health plan with COBRA for 18 months or longer, but this option is often costly.

When does health insurance end after leaving a job?

If you have an employment-based insurance plan, coverage typically ends on your last day of work or the last day of the month in which you leave your job. You may be able to continue receiving coverage through your employer’s health plan with COBRA for 18 months or longer, but this option is often costly. Depending on your age, income, and other factors, you may be eligible for an Affordable Care Act plan, Medicaid, or Medicare, or you may be able to join a relative’s health plan.

Each employer sets its own policy regarding the termination of employer-based health insurance benefits. In general, employer-sponsored health coverage ends on the day your job ends or at the end of the month in which you leave your job. If you have job-based healthcare benefits, that health insurance usually ends on the day your employment ends or by the end of that same month. Your employer decides how long you can stay on the company health insurance plan when you leave your job. Although uncommon, some employers may opt to extend benefits for eligible former employees beyond these time frames.

You can use the health insurance marketplace to search for an individual or family plan after losing your job-related coverage. Although there are no set requirements, most employer-sponsored health insurance ends on the day you stop working or at the end of the month in which you work your last day. Employers set the guidelines for when employer-sponsored health coverage ends once you resign or are terminated. Talk with your human resources department to figure out your employer’s policies. You might also be able to find details on the expiration in your benefits documentation. You might find answers to your health insurance expiration questions in an employee handbook or web-based employee portal.

What are the options for continued insurance coverage?

If you have an employment-based insurance plan, coverage typically ends on your last day of work or the last day of the month in which you leave your job. You may be able to continue receiving coverage through your employer’s health plan with COBRA for 18 months or longer, but this option is often costly. Depending on your age, income, and other factors, you may be eligible for an Affordable Care Act plan, Medicaid, or Medicare, or you may be able to join a relative’s health plan.

Marketplace plans may be less costly than COBRA and offer more benefits, so shop around. If you are at least 65 or have a long-term disability, you may qualify for Medicare. Your special enrollment period lasts 8 months from the day you lose your insurance. Did you have a low income while working? Did quitting your job reduce your family’s income? Depending on your income, you may qualify for low-cost health insurance under Medicaid. Medicaid is a state-administered program, so you may want to check with your state's Medicaid office.

If you get a new job, your income limits may change, and increased income from your new job may affect your premium subsidy and raise the monthly cost of your health insurance.

Employment-based health insurance is the most common type of coverage in the U.S., so quitting a job is likely to affect your insurance status. It is a good idea to explore your insurance options before you quit your job. If you don’t plan properly, you could risk a gap in coverage.

How does COBRA affect insurance coverage?

If you have an employment-based insurance plan, coverage typically ends on your last day of work or the last day of the month in which you leave your job. You may be able to continue receiving coverage through your employer’s health plan with COBRA for 18 months or longer, but this option is often costly. Depending on your age, income, and other factors, you may be eligible for an Affordable Care Act plan, Medicaid, or Medicare, or you may be able to join a relative’s health plan.

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Marketplace plans may be less costly than COBRA and offer more benefits, so shop around. If you are at least 65 or have a long-term disability, you may qualify for Medicare. Your special enrollment period lasts 8 months from the day you lose your insurance. Did you have a low income while working? Did quitting your job reduce your family’s income? Depending on your income, you may qualify for low-cost health insurance under Medicaid. Medicaid is a state-administered program, so...

Getting a new job may affect various aspects of your ... income limits. Increased income from your new job may affect your premium subsidy and raise the monthly cost of your health insurance.

Employment-based health insurance is the most common type of coverage in the U.S., so quitting a job is likely to affect your insurance status. It is a good idea to explore your insurance options before you quit your job. If you don’t plan properly, you could risk a gap in coverage.

What is the special enrollment period for insurance?

If you have an employment-based insurance plan, coverage typically ends on your last day of work or the last day of the month in which you leave your job. You may be able to continue receiving coverage through your employer’s health plan with COBRA for 18 months or longer, but this option is often costly. Depending on your age, income, and other factors, you may be eligible for an Affordable Care Act plan, Medicaid, or Medicare, or you may be able to join a relative’s health plan.

Marketplace plans may be less costly than COBRA and offer more benefits, so shop around. If you are at least 65 or have a long-term disability, you may qualify for Medicare. Your special enrollment period lasts 8 months from the day you lose your insurance. Did you have a low income while working? Did quitting your job reduce your family’s income? Depending on your income, you may qualify for low-cost health insurance under Medicaid. Medicaid is a state-administered program, so ...

Getting a new job may affect various aspects of your ... income limits. Increased income from your new job may affect your premium subsidy and raise the monthly cost of your health insurance.

Employment-based health insurance is the most common type of coverage in the U.S., so quitting a job is likely to affect your insurance status. It is a good idea to explore your insurance options before you quit your job. If you don’t plan properly, you could risk a gap in coverage.

If you quit or leave your job, your health insurance typically lasts until your last day with your employer. Learn about your options.

How does income affect insurance coverage?

Employment-based health insurance is the most common type of coverage in the U.S., so quitting a job is likely to affect your insurance status. If you have an employment-based insurance plan, coverage typically ends on your last day of work or the last day of the month in which you leave your job. You may be able to continue receiving coverage through your employer’s health plan with COBRA for 18 months or longer, but this option is often costly.

Marketplace plans may be less costly than COBRA and offer more benefits, so shop around. If you are at least 65 or have a long-term disability, you may qualify for Medicare. Your special enrollment period lasts 8 months from the day you lose your insurance. Did you have a low income while working? Did quitting your job reduce your family’s income? Depending on your income, you may qualify for low-cost health insurance under Medicaid. Medicaid is a state-administered program, so check your state's requirements.

Getting a new job may affect various aspects of your income limits. Increased income from your new job may affect your premium subsidy and raise the monthly cost of your health insurance.

If you don’t plan properly, you could risk a gap in coverage. It is a good idea to explore your insurance options before you quit your job.

Frequently asked questions