When the annual open enrollment period ends, you do have options when life happens, and your health insurance needs change. If you experience one of the following qualifying life events, you will have access to a special enrollment period for up to 60 days, during which you can select or make changes to your health coverage.

Change in marital status

Marriage and divorce are considered qualifying life events and grant you access to a special enrollment period. However, if you do not lose coverage through divorce or legal separation, you would notqualify for a special enrollment period.

Additionally, you qualify if a member on your plan dies and as a result you are no longer eligible for your current plan.

Change in household size

When your family grows, you qualify for a special enrollment period—whether you’re having a baby, adopting a child or have a child placed through foster care. In these instances, you have up to 60 days to add your new dependent to your coverage. During this period, you may also add your spouse to your new policy.

What’s more, if you gained any other dependent due to a child support or other court order, you may qualify for a special enrollment period.

Lost insurance you had through an employer

You qualify for a special enrollment period if you lose your job and/or the insurance it provided or take a new job with an employer that does not offer insurance. You also qualify if you were on someone else’s plan and they lost coverage through their job.

If any of these events impact your health coverage outside of the open enrollment period, you can make the changes you need to reflect your situation. However, you will not qualify for a special enrollment period if you experience loss of coverage because you didn’t pay your premiums or if your coverage was taken away because of fraud or intentional misrepresentation.

In addition to the above qualifying events, there are other life events that may qualify you for a special enrollment period.

If you want to make changes to your health insurance, but don’t have a qualifying event, don’t miss the December 15 deadline to make changes to your individual health insurance or check with your employer on their specific enrollment deadlines; otherwise, you will need to wait until the next open enrollment period, starting November 1, each year.

Learn more about our individual and family health insurance plans on our website. Did you experience a qualifying life event? We’re here to help. Call us directly at 1-866-679-7824.