Unlike ACA marketplace insurance, Medicaid doesn't run on an annual open enrollment schedule — you can apply for it any time of year, whenever your situation changes. * There are several ways to start an application. Healthcare.gov handles more than private marketplace plans: entering your household size, income, and state there will route you toward a Medicaid eligibility determination if your state uses the federal marketplace, or redirect you to your own state's Medicaid application if it runs its own exchange. You can also go straight to your state Medicaid agency's website, apply by mail, over the phone, or in person, depending on what your specific state offers. * Whichever route you take, be ready to document proof of income, identity, and state residency. If you're applying based on a disability, you'll also need supporting medical records, which tends to slow the process down compared to other application types. * Timelines are set by federal guidelines but vary by circumstance: most states are required to decide on a standard application within 45 days. Applications from pregnant applicants and children are often processed faster than that. Disability-based applications can take considerably longer — up to 90 days — because they require additional medical review. * Because Medicaid is run state by state within federal guidelines, exact application steps, required forms, and even the name of the program can differ depending on where you live — checking your specific state Medicaid agency's website is the most reliable way to get instructions that actually match your situation.