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Most of us count on health insurance to serve as a shield against the high cost of medical care. But what happens when you lose health insurance coverage?
Losing a health insurance plan is one of several situations that might be considered a “qualifying life event.” These kinds of life events make you eligible to buy insurance outside the open enrollment period during what’s called a special enrollment period.
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What Is a Special Enrollment Period?
You usually purchase health insurance during the annual open enrollment period. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace’s open enrollment is from Nov. 1 to Jan. 15 in most states. But some people qualify for a special enrollment period during which they can purchase health insurance outside the open enrollment period.
You must have a qualifying life event to qualify for the special enrollment period. If you have employer-based insurance, you must be granted a special enrollment period of at least 30 days.
What Is a Qualifying Life Event (QLE) for Health Insurance?
A qualifying event for health insurance is a major change experienced by you or anyone in your household that makes you eligible to shop for a health care plan outside of the annual open enrollment period.
Here’s a list of qualifying life events for health insurance that may affect you or those in your household.
What are the IRS-qualifying life events?
What are the qualifying life events for employer-sponsored health insurance?
Qualifying life event rules are the same for employer-sponsored health insurance as any other type of coverage. That means if you are separate from your employer for any reason—including if you quit or are fired—you’re generally eligible for a special enrollment period.
If you have a qualifying life event that makes you eligible for a special enrollment period, talk to your human resources department or health insurance company about the company’s policies.
How to Update Your Health Insurance After a Qualifying Life Event
People with an ACA marketplace plan who have a qualifying life event should go to the healthcare.gov website. The federal government recommends visiting your existing account—or creating a new account—at the HealthCare.gov website.
You can update your insurance by choosing a new plan if necessary. You can also call the federal health insurance marketplace for help.
If you have employer-based health coverage and experience of a qualifying event, you should review your plan materials about how to proceed. Or you can talk to someone in your employer’s human resources department or call the phone number listed on your health insurance ID card.
You may need to provide documentation to prove that you qualify for a special enrollment period, depending on your circumstances, such as:
- Birth certificate or death certificate
- Marriage license or divorce papers
- Rental agreements or mortgages
Remember that you have a limited time to make changes and find new health insurance coverage, usually 60 days.
Coverage Options if You Missed the Open Enrollment Window and Don’t Have a Qualifying Life Event
Open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act marketplace runs from Nov. 1, 2022, to Jan. 15, 2023, in most states. Those dates are slightly different in a handful of states.
If you miss that window for open enrollment, don’t have a qualifying life event, or both, you might still have options for finding health insurance coverage.
COBRA coverage
If you lose health coverage because of losing your job or eligibility, you may be allowed to keep your current health insurance for a while longer. This is thanks to the provisions under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, more commonly known as (COBRA).
COBRA insurance typically requires that you pay 100% of the premiums and don’t get any help from an employer. You may also need to pay a small administrative fee to keep your current health plan for a period of 18 to 36 months, depending on why you lost coverage.
COBRA pros
- You get to keep your employer-based group health insurance plan, which typically offers robust coverage.
- You don’t have to start a new deductible with another health plan.
- You’re assured that you keep the same provider network.
COBRA cons
- The main negative is significant: COBRA coverage can be quite expensive compared to other health insurance options.
Short-term coverage
Short-term health insurance is meant to offer temporary coverage during periods when you might be between traditional health insurance plans, such as between jobs.
Coverage only lasts a year (with the chance to extend by two more years) in most states, and there is no guarantee the insurer will renew the policy, especially if you develop a health condition.
Short-term health insurance pros
- Low premiums
- Cheap solution to a coverage gap, such as between jobs
- You can buy a plan at any time and don’t have to deal with an open enrollment period.
Short-term health insurance cons
- Limited benefits and coverage
- Higher out-of-pocket costs when you need care
- Insurance companies can reject you based on health.
Medicaid
Medicaid is government-run health insurance administered by individual state governments that follow federal requirements. It covers more than 82 million Americans.
Not everybody is eligible for Medicaid coverage. Those who qualify include:
- Low-income adults
- Children
- pregnant women
- Elderly adults
- People with disabilities
Medicaid pros
- You may pay little to nothing for coverage based on your household income.
- Comprehensive coverage that also includes dental benefits for children and may include care for adults, too.
Medicaid cons
- Not everyone qualifies for Medicaid.
- Health care providers may not accept Medicaid as commonly as other types of standard health insurance.
When to Buy COBRA Insurance
You may choose COBRA health insurance if you like your health plan and want to make sure you keep the same provider network. Those benefits must outweigh having to pick up all the health insurance costs.
Another time when going with COBRA insurance may make sense if you have a condition requiring a provider in your current plan’s network but who is difficult to find in other plans.
A COBRA alternative is the ACA exchange, which may offer more affordable coverage if you qualify for advanced premium tax credits. Those who qualify for those credits must have a household income below 400% of the federal poverty level. That’s $54,360 or below for a single person, $73,240 for a two-person family and $92,120 for a three-person family.
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Qualifying Life Events FAQ
Can I get my husband’s insurance if I quit my job?
It’s possible that you can join your spouse’s group health insurance plan if you lose coverage at your job. Ask your spouse to talk to their employer about this possibility.
It’s important to note that if you’re offered coverage through a spouse’s plan and you reject the offer, you can still purchase a plan on the healthcare marketplace.
If the spouse’s plan offers coverage that is deemed “affordable,” which means your portion of the monthly premium in the lowest-cost plan offered by the employer is less than 9.12% of your household income, you won’t qualify for premium tax credits or other savings if you instead purchase marketplace coverage.
Does getting a new job count as a life event?
No, getting a new job isn’t considered a life event that qualifies you for a special enrollment period. Your new employer can, and usually will, if the job is full-time, offer the opportunity to join the group coverage plan.
While getting a new job isn’t considered a life event, leaving an old job and losing your health coverage does qualify as a life event.
How long is health insurance active after quitting a job?
You can generally expect your health coverage to last until the last day of the month when you leave your job. But check with your employer to make sure this is the case.
Once your coverage expires, you have multiple options to obtain new coverage, such as enrolling in COBRA insurance, purchasing a plan on the health insurance marketplace or buying short-term health insurance.
Whichever option you choose, it’s crucial to have the coverage in place before your current health insurance coverage expires. That way, there will be no gaps where you aren’t covered.