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Glossary

Coverage terms glossary

Clear definitions for coverage-change terms with official-source context and cautious verification language.

HealthPlansGuide glossary pages explain coverage terms for education only. Definitions use official-source context and defer final timing, eligibility, and enrollment decisions to official sources.
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Use this hub as a curated route into source-reviewed pages, then move to official sources before acting on deadlines, eligibility, or enrollment decisions.

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  1. Special Enrollment Period

    Clear definition of Special Enrollment Period with official-source context.

  2. COBRA

    Clear definition of COBRA with official-source context.

  3. Federal Poverty Level

    Clear definition of Federal Poverty Level with official-source context.

  4. Advance Premium Tax Credit

    Clear definition of Advance Premium Tax Credit with official-source context.

  5. Qualifying Life Event

    Clear definition of Qualifying Life Event with official-source context.

  6. Loss of Coverage Event

    Clear definition of Loss of Coverage Event with official-source context.

  7. Marketplace

    Clear definition of Marketplace with official-source context.

  8. Medicaid and CHIP

    Clear definition of Medicaid and CHIP with official-source context.

  9. State-Based Marketplace

    Clear definition of State-Based Marketplace with official-source context.

  10. Federally Facilitated Marketplace

    Clear definition of Federally Facilitated Marketplace with official-source context.

  11. COBRA Election Period

    Clear definition of COBRA Election Period with official-source context.

How to use this hub

HealthPlansGuide is independent and is not a government website, broker, carrier, marketplace, or enrollment platform. This hub organizes educational pages around official sources; verify deadlines, eligibility, and enrollment decisions through official sources or licensed help.

Sources

Sources used to check this page.

  1. HealthCare.gov: Special Enrollment Period (official government source, checked )
  2. HealthCare.gov: COBRA coverage and the Marketplace (official government source, checked )
  3. U.S. Department of Labor: COBRA Continuation Coverage (official government source, checked )
  4. Federal Register / HHS: Annual Update of the HHS Poverty Guidelines (official government source, checked )
  5. CMS: States by Marketplace Type for Plan Year 2026 (official government source, checked )
  6. CMS / CCIIO: State-based Exchanges (official government source, checked )
  7. Medicaid.gov: Where Can People Get Help With Medicaid & CHIP? (official government source, checked )