If you were dropped
Lost your Medicaid? Here's exactly what to do next
5 min readReviewed by CoverageCo’s licensed agents
Key takeaways
- Losing Medicaid usually triggers a 60-day Special Enrollment Period for Marketplace coverage.
- Most people who lost coverage during the unwinding were dropped for paperwork, not income — that can often be fixed.
- Don't wait — a gap in coverage means paying full price for any care you need.
- A licensed agent can check whether you still qualify for Medicaid and, if not, find your next-best option in one call.
First: was it your income or your paperwork?
When a state ends your Medicaid, it's for one of two reasons: your income or household changed and you no longer qualify, or you didn't complete a renewal step in time (a missed form, an outdated address, a document the state never received).
This matters because the fix is different. During the recent Medicaid “unwinding,” the large majority of people who lost coverage were dropped for procedural reasons — not because they were actually ineligible. If that's you, re-submitting your renewal may restore your Medicaid.
Your 60-day window to get covered
Losing Medicaid is a “qualifying life event.” That opens a Special Enrollment Period — generally 60 days from the date your coverage ends — to enroll in a Health Insurance Marketplace plan for your state. Miss the window and you may have to wait for the annual Open Enrollment Period.
Many people who are just over the Medicaid line qualify for financial help that lowers their monthly premium on a Marketplace plan. What you'd actually pay depends on your income, household, and state, so it's worth checking rather than assuming.
What to do this week
Move quickly, in this order:
- Find your termination notice — it says why coverage ended and the exact date.
- If it was a paperwork issue, contact your state Medicaid agency to re-submit your renewal.
- If your income changed, don't go uninsured — check your Marketplace options before the 60-day window closes.
- Have a licensed agent confirm what you qualify for so you don't overpay or miss help.
Medicaid eligibility estimator
See what you may qualify for.
Answer three quick questions for a free estimate. If you don’t qualify for Medicaid, we’ll help you find what you do — in one call.
This is a general estimate based only on what you enter — not a determination of eligibility, an application, or an offer of coverage. Only your state Medicaid agency can determine Medicaid eligibility. CoverageCo is a licensed insurance agency, not a government agency.
Common questions
How long do I have to get new coverage after losing Medicaid?
Generally 60 days from the date your Medicaid ends. That window lets you enroll in a Marketplace plan outside the normal Open Enrollment Period. Acting early helps avoid a gap in coverage.
Can I get my Medicaid back?
Often, yes — especially if you were dropped for a paperwork reason rather than income. Contact your state Medicaid agency to re-submit your renewal. If your income genuinely puts you over the limit, a Marketplace plan with financial help is usually the next step.
Will I have to pay for a Marketplace plan?
Usually there is a monthly premium, but many people who recently lost Medicaid qualify for financial help that lowers it. The amount depends on your income, household size, and state. A licensed agent can check your specific number before you enroll.
Keep reading
Medicaid vs. the Marketplace: which one are you eligible for?
Medicaid and Marketplace coverage serve different income levels. Here's how to tell which one you qualify for — and what to do if you're near the line.
Denied Medicaid? Here are your real coverage options
A Medicaid denial isn't a dead end. Here's how to appeal if it's wrong — and the coverage options if you truly don't qualify.
Reviewed by CoverageCo’s licensed insurance agents · Last updated August 2026. Sources: Medicaid.gov; HealthCare.gov and state Health Insurance Marketplaces; KFF; HHS federal poverty guidelines. This article is general information, not a determination of eligibility.
Important disclosures
The Coverage Company (“CoverageCo”) is a private, licensed insurance agency. This website is not Medicaid, Medicare, HealthCare.gov, or any federal or state government program, and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any government agency.
The eligibility estimator and any figures shown are for general education only. They are based on the limited information you provide and published federal poverty guidelines, are not guaranteed to be current, and are not a determination of eligibility, an application, or an offer of coverage. Only your state Medicaid agency can determine Medicaid eligibility. If you contact us, a state-licensed insurance agent may help you review private coverage options; enrollment in any plan is subject to eligibility and the plan’s terms.