Need Health Insurance? Qualifying Events can Help!
April and May are beautiful months for new life, butterflies, trees and flowers. However, it is not the ideal season for enrolling in health insurance. This year, November 1st is the beginning of “Open Enrollment”, a timeframe for individuals to freely shop and select a health insurance plan. Spanning over a three-month period, Open Enrollment comes along once every year with no exceptions. However, what if you’re in need of insurance now? You may be in luck as there are special circumstances, known as “qualifying life events,” that may allow you to sign up for coverage outside of Open Enrollment. Be sure to mark your calendar this year as Open Enrollment will last from November 1st to December 15th.
Whether you’ve had a career change, become a parent or relocated to a new state/country, one or more of the various qualifying circumstances may apply to you. Life happens and considers these qualifying life events for gaining health coverage:
| Qualifying Event | Definition | Suggested Documentation |
| Loss of Employer | Loss of employment, due to termination, reduction in hour or coverage no longer offered |
– Termination letter from employer – Current and previous pay stubs supporting reduced hours – Letter from employer stating no longer paying for insurance – COCC (Certificate of Creditable Coverage) – Renewal Letter |
| No Longer a dependent | Loss of employer or individual coverage because no longer eligible for coverage |
Carrier letter that documents loss of coverage, i.e. – dependent age maximum reached |
| Change in Family Status | Loss of coverage due to divorce, death, etc. | Copy of divorce decree, death certificate, etc. |
| Marriage | Addition of new dependent as a result of marriage | Marriage License or Domestic Partner certificate |
| Birth, Adoption or Placement of Adoption |
Addition of new dependent as a result of birth, adoption or placement of adoption |
Birth certificate adoption/placement papers |
| Loss of Medicaid or CHIP | Loss of Medicaid or CHIP | Termination letter of loss of coverage from the insurance carrier which includes the date of loss of coverage |
| Move | Permanent move to a new area that has different plan options |
Proof of move such as utility bill or rental lease |
| Return from Active Military Service | Newly eligible due to return from active military |
Paperwork confirming departure date from active military service |
| Minimum Essential Coverage | Existing coverage no longer provides essential minimum coverage |
Letter documenting loss of Minimum Essential Coverage |
