What you need to know about Special Enrollment Periods

Open enrollment for health insurance ended on Jan. 31. But a big change in your life, such as having a baby or adopting one, could allow you to purchase health insurance coverage outside of open enrollment. When you experience a “qualifying life event,” you may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period in which you can purchase health insurance coverage outside the official open enrollment period. It’s a valuable window of opportunity to get covered for the first time or change plans.

Did you turn 26 and are no longer eligible to be covered under your parent’s plan? Did you switch jobs or lose a job? Get married? These are just some of the qualifying events that can make you eligible to purchase health coverage outside of open enrollment. But you need to act fast. You’ll only have 60 days from the qualifying life event to obtain coverage or change plans.

You also may be able to purchase insurance coverage outside of the open enrollment period if your employer-sponsored health insurance coverage becomes unaffordable. Other ‘qualifying life events’ can include gaining citizenship or legal immigration status or being released from jail or prison. (Qualifying events can vary from plan to plan.) Wondering whether a Special Enrollment period could apply to you and your family? Give us a call. Or visit our website. We’re here to help!