Get Ready to Enroll

Six Things You Can Do To Get Ready to Enroll

  1. Learn more about health insurance; including Health Insurance Marketplace, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
  2. Ask your employer if it offers health insurance. If your employer doesn’t offer health insurance or it’s too expensive, we can show you other options that are available to you.
  3. Make a list of questions before it’s time to choose your health insurance. For example, “Can I stay with my current doctor?” or “Will this plan cover my health costs when I travel?”
  4. Set your budget. There are different types of health insurance plans to meet a variety of needs and budgets. You’ll need to figure out how much you’re able to spend on premiums each month, and how much you want to pay out-of-pocket for prescriptions or medical services. A Navigator will show you the most affordable options and see if you’re eligible for tax credits, which can reduce or eliminate monthly costs.
  5. Gather information about your household. You’ll need to be prepared with income information from your W-2, pay stubs, or tax return in order to enroll.
  6. Meet with a Navigator to help you (for free). Whether you just have questions or would like help enrolling, we’re here for you.

What to Bring When You Meet with a Navigator

We’ll need to verify what health insurance options you’re eligible for with some personal information. All information is kept confidential and protected under HIPAA.  

Your application will ask about each person in your household, even those not applying for coverage. Your household usually includes the tax filers and their tax dependents, but there are exceptions. Sometimes it includes people you live with who aren’t in your tax household.

For a complete breakdown of what’s needed, please reference the document Get Ready to Enroll.

*Translation services are available for free. 

Schedule an Appointment

For everyone who is enrolling in health insurance coverage (including children), you’ll need: 

  • Date of birth 
  • Social Security number 

For everyone employed in the home, you’ll need employer and income information: 

  • Estimated annual income 
  • Paystubs 

Tribal documents, if applicable:

  • Tribal ID / registration card 

Plus, immigration documents, if applicable: 

  • Permanent Resident Card “Green Card” (I-551) 
  • Reentry Permit (I-327) 
For More Info

Nondiscrimination Notice

This page is supported by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $1,600,000 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The content are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.