What to have ready before you apply

The application asks about everyone in your household, not just the person who needs coverage. Having this ready before you start saves you from stopping halfway. HealthCare.gov's application checklist covers most of it, and the checklist below lets you tick things off as you find them.

Income

Your state will want to know what everyone in the household earns now. Recent pay stubs are the easiest proof. If you're self-employed, a recent tax return or a simple record of what you earned and spent this month works. Include unemployment, Social Security, pensions and any other regular income.

Your tax situation

You'll be asked how you file taxes and who you claim as dependents, because that's how Medicaid decides who's in your household. If you don't file, that's fine; just say so.

Other coverage

If anyone has health insurance through a job, even coverage you're thinking of dropping, have the plan details handy.

Extra proof for some people

If you're pregnant, you may be asked for a note from your doctor or clinic. If you're applying because of a disability, records from your doctors help. States can only ask for what they need to decide whether you qualify.

If you're missing something

Don't wait to apply because one document is missing. Many states check income and citizenship electronically first, using records from other agencies. If they need more, they'll send a letter with a list and a deadline. Send what they ask for before that date, because a state can deny an application when requested paperwork never arrives.

Sources: Application checklist (PDF), HealthCare.gov; Medicaid & CHIP coverage, HealthCare.gov.