How Long Does Health Insurance Take To Start? 
Health insurance can start immediately , depending on the type of policy . I 'll answer your question quickly and accurately . Short-term plans can be approved within 24 hours ... or instantly , depending n the carrier . They are not considered Obamacare plans . Otherwise , when you apply for Exchange plans under Open Enrollment , the effective date depends upon when you apply . Of course , getting the lowest rate is , of course , important . LIVE answer provided by : Ed Harris - Premier Health Insurance Broker for 33 years and owner of several top-rated websites . 