Health Care Update: Are You Special?

Hi blog readers - it's Heather back with your weekly health care post.  Last week I talked about March 31st as the deadline for signing up for health insurance through the Marketplace.  However, there are some special circumstances that would allow you to enroll after March 31st.  This week, I'm taking a look at those special circumstances.

Are you special?  Of COURSE you are!  But does that mean you can enroll in the Health Insurance Marketplace AFTER March 31st?  Maybe, maybe not.

Yes, the Marketplace is open for enrollment after March 31st, 2014 - but only if you have a qualifying "life event" after the March deadline.  So, let's take a look at some examples of "life events"......

 

 

• Lose Coverage: If you have coverage through your work but then lose your job, change jobs to one without health insurance, or your employer stops your coverage, you can get coverage through the marketplace within 60 days of when you lost your insurance coverage.
• Turn 26: If you have coverage under your parents' plan but turn 26 after March 31, you can get coverage through the marketplace within 60 days of your birthday.
• Have a Baby: If you have a baby and don't have health insurance that covers dependents, you can get coverage for the baby through the marketplace within 60 days of the birth.
• Move to a New Location: If you lose your health insurance coverage because you move to a new area with different plan options, you can get or change coverage through the marketplace within 60 days of your move.
• Get Married: If you or your new spouse needs health insurance, you can get coverage through the marketplace within 60 days of your wedding.
• Get Divorced: If you lose your coverage because of a divorce, you can get coverage within 60 days of when your coverage stops.
• Change Income: If you lose eligibility for Medicaid or CHIP, you can get coverage in the marketplace.  If you have coverage through the marketplace and gain or lose eligibility for financial assistance to help pay for your coverage, you can change plans.

 

If you sign up by the 15th of the month, your coverage will start on the first day of the next month.  Signing up after the 15th means your coverage will start the following month.  For example, if you sign up on June 14th, your coverage will start on July 1st.  However, if you sign up on June 16th your coverage will start August 1st.

If you are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program), you can sign up at any time.

The next marketplace open enrollment period when you can enroll or change plans starts November 15, 2014 and ends February 15, 2015.

Until next week.....be healthy!

~Heather