If you missed the health insurance deadline on March 31, you may still qualify for one of the Special Enrollment Periods to access the Healthcare Marketplace. These are 60-day windows to enroll after certain “life events” that change your individual or family status from the open enrollment time frames.
Special Enrollment Periods
Along with some specified life events, should you qualify for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), you are able to apply for coverage at any time. Otherwise, you need to meet guidelines for special enrollment periods with “qualifying life events.” Examples of these events include the following items.
- Marriage,
- Divorce,
- Birth of a child,
- Loss of employment, and
- Moving to a new state.
All of these events change your status, qualifying you for special enrollment periods that allow you to access the Healthcare Marketplace after open enrollment dates. Additional qualification limitations apply, including —
- The state in which you live or to which you move,
- Your household size, and
- Evidence of new disability.
You should check with your state to learn how it interprets qualification rules for special enrollment periods. State requirements can also differ for application to Medicaid or CHIP, so investigate or get expert advice.
If you want some valuable advice, contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services. The professionals at Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services can answer your questions about special enrollment periods, details of different health insurance coverage, give you quotes and advise you on how to protect yourself, your family and/or your business.
