A grace period is a window of time after a missed health insurance premium payment during which your coverage remains active and your insurer cannot terminate your policy. It gives you time to catch up on a missed payment before losing coverage.
Grace period length depends on how you pay for your coverage:
If your coverage is terminated due to non-payment, losing coverage is a qualifying life event that opens a Special Enrollment Period to re-enroll. However, you may have a gap in coverage and any claims incurred after termination will not be covered.
Yes, but with a risk. On APTC plans, the 90-day grace period appears generous, but providers may be notified that your claims are pending and could delay or refuse care after day 30. If you’re struggling to make a payment, contact your insurer immediately to discuss payment arrangements or update your Marketplace application to see if your subsidy can be adjusted.
Contact your insurer’s billing department as soon as possible. Ask whether a payment arrangement is possible. If your income has changed, update your Marketplace application — an increased subsidy might reduce what you owe going forward. Letting the grace period expire without action is the worst outcome.
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