Unfortunately, developing a medical condition does not create a qualifying event that allows you to sign up for health coverage. The Affordable Care Act does make health insurance “guaranteed issue” for anyone who wants health insurance, and the individual mandate is intended to encourage people to sign up for coverage before they get sick, but you cannot simply sign up for coverage anytime you want.

What you need to know about your options

• If you don’t currently have health insurance, you’ll need to wait until the next open enrollment period to purchase a major medical policy. In the individual market, this will be November 1 – December 15.
• Until open enrollment, your options may be limited. You will not qualify for an individual policy, a short term plan does not cover pre-existing conditions, and developing a medical condition does not give you a special enrollment opportunity for your company’s health plan or a spouse’s plan.
• If you own a small business and you file the correct tax forms, you may be able to set up a group health plan, and you can do that any month of the year. Small group policies do not ask you any medical questions and do cover pre-existing conditions.