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Important Message: Vermont is again required to see who can still get Medicaid and Dr. Dynasaur. Find answers to your Medicaid eligibility questions. Keep your address, email and phone number up to date! We want to make sure we can stay in touch with you.

When can I apply for health coverage?

You must apply to get any kind of health insurance. You can apply for health insurance from Vermont Health Connect any time. We will check to see if you meet the rules for these programs.

Vermont Health Connect offers several kinds of health insurance.

  • Medicaid is free, or low-cost, health coverage for Vermonters. It pays for doctor visits, medicine, hospital stays, and more. To get it, you must meet the rules on family size and household income.
    • Medicaid for Children and Adults (MCA) includes Dr. Dynasaur. It is health coverage for people under 65, children under 19, pregnant people, and certain adults and parent/caretakers.
    • Medicaid for Aged, Blind and Disabled (MABD) is for people who are 65 or older. It is also for people who are blind or disabled. It is offered through Green Mountain Care.

Click here to learn more about the basics of health insurance.

How to Apply

When can I get coverage?

If you meet the rules for a Medicaid program, you can get coverage any time.

For a Qualified Health Plan (QHP), there are 3 times when you can get coverage:

(1) Any time if you meet certain income rules

People who meet income and other rules can sign up or change their Plan any time. You must meet the rule to get financial help paying for a Plan. AND your income must be at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level

Example: In 2023, your income is at or below the 200% of the Federal Poverty Level if it is:

  • At or below $27,180 a year for a single person
  • At or below $36,620 a year for a couple
  • At or below $55,500 a year for a family of four

Do you meet the income rules? There are two ways to find out. Online by clicking here to see our Eligibility Tables. Or you can call us at 1-855-899-9600.

(2) During Open Enrollment

Open Enrollment is from November 1 to January 15 every year. During this time, you can sign up for a new health plan. Or you can change the Plan you have.

  • If you sign up by December 15, coverage begins on January 1 of the following year.
  • If you sign up between December 16 and January 15, coverage begins on February 1.

(3) During SPECIAL ENROLLMENT if you have a life event

Some life events let you have a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). Most of the time, this period last 60 days after the date of the life change. For some life changes, you may apply up to 60 days before the change. During this time, you can enroll in a Qualified Health Plan. OR you can change the plan you have. Life changes include:

So don't wait! If you miss the deadline, you may not be able to sign up until Open Enrollment.

There are other life changes that give you a Special Enrollment Period. See the full list on our qualifying life events chart.