When “Open Enrollment” is closed, individuals seeking medical insurance can only do so if they have a “Qualifying Life Event” which opens a “Special Enrollment Period” (SEP). If you qualify for a SEP then you can apply for ACA qualified medical plans through the Exchanges including any available premium tax subsidies or cost sharing reductions that may reduce your costs. NOTE: you can apply anytime for Medicaid or CHIP coverage is you qualify.
Qualifying Life Event…
Is a change in your life that can make you eligible for a Special Enrollment Period to enroll in health coverage. Examples of qualifying life events are moving to a new state, certain changes in your income, and changes in your family size (for example, if you marry, divorce, or have a baby).
So, Qualifying Life Events that create a Special Enrollment Period include:
- Change in marital status
- Having, adopting, or placement of a child
- Permanently moving to a new area that offers different health plan options (even within your same state of residence)
- Losing other health coverage (for example due to a job loss, divorce, loss of eligibility for Medicaid or CHIP, expiration of COBRA coverage, or a health plan being decertified). Note: Voluntarily quitting other health coverage or being terminated for not paying your premiums are not considered loss of coverage. Losing coverage that is not minimum essential coverage is also not considered loss of coverage.
- For people already enrolled in Marketplace coverage, having a change in income or household status that affects eligibility for tax credits or cost-sharing reductions.
- Individual health plans that are renewing when Open Enrollment is closed.
You can enroll in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in your state at any time—there is no limited enrollment period for these programs. Medicaid and CHIP provide health coverage to millions of families with limited incomes. You can find out if you qualify for Medicaid or CHIP by filling out a Marketplace application or going directly to your state Medicaid agency.
Some states have expanded their Medicaid programs this year (WA state has, ID has not). If your state has expanded Medicaid, you’ll probably qualify if your income is below about $16,105 for an individual or $32,913 for a family of 4. See if your state is expanding Medicaid.
If your state isn’t expanding Medicaid you may still be eligible, especially if you have children, are pregnant, or have a disability. Every state’s eligibility rules are different. If it looks like you’re eligible for Medicaid or CHIP, the Marketplace will pass along your information to your state agency, where you’ll be able to enroll. Find contacts for your state’s Medicaid and CHIP programs.
Source: US Health & Human Services, www.HealthCare.Gov – “How can I get coverage outside of open enrollment?”
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