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Healthcare.gov

Government · healthcare.gov

Three second factors on offer: text message, phone call and email code. The strongest is text message.

Recommended setup

Text message

It's the only kind of second factor offered. Turn it on anyway, and protect the phone number or inbox it uses.

SMSText messageBest option
CallPhone callSupported
EmailEmail codeSupported

Not offered: security key, authenticator app, approval in an app, hardware token.

Switch it on

General steps; menu names vary. Healthcare.gov's own guide has the exact screens.

  1. Sign in to Healthcare.gov and open your account's security settings. Look for two-step verification or two-factor authentication. Healthcare.gov's own guide shows the exact screens.
  2. Add your phone number and enter the code Healthcare.gov sends, to confirm it.
  3. Save the backup codes. Keep them in your password manager or print them; they're your way back in if you lose your phone or key.
  4. Ask your mobile carrier for a port-out PIN or number lock, so nobody can move your number to their SIM.
Healthcare.gov's setup guide ↗