60 Days to Get Your Newborn Covered
Having a baby is a qualifying life event. You have 60 days from the birth to:
- Add your baby to your existing health insurance plan
- Enroll your entire family in a new ACA marketplace plan
- Switch to a better plan if your current one doesn't meet your family's needs
If you don't act within 60 days, you'll have to wait until the next Open Enrollment period to make changes.
Important: Your baby's coverage is retroactive to the date of birth — they are covered from day one, even if you don't complete the enrollment paperwork for a few weeks. But you must complete the enrollment within 60 days.
What Newborn Coverage Includes (ACA Plans)
- All well-baby visits and pediatric checkups at $0 copay
- All childhood vaccinations at $0
- Pediatric dental and vision coverage (required on all ACA plans for children)
- Hospitalization, emergency care, prescriptions
How It Affects Your Costs
Adding a baby increases your household size, which may actually increase your subsidy amount. A family of 3 earning $50,000 qualifies for more subsidies than a couple earning $50,000. Your premiums may not increase as much as you'd expect.
Key Numbers
60 daysEnrollment window after birth
$0Cost for well-baby visits on ACA plans
Day 1Coverage is retroactive to birth date
$21,200Family out-of-pocket maximum
Last updated: March 30, 2026.
