If you are looking to sign up for health care coverage, please note that under the Affordable Care Act, there are only two particular time periods you are eligible to do so.

The two types of enrollment periods are:

Open Enrollment Period.

During the open enrollment period, every eligible person is able to select a new health insurance plan or make changes to their existing health coverage. (November 1 – December 15)

Special Enrollment Period.

Special enrollment periods are reserved for individuals who require a modified time frame to enroll in health coverage due to a qualifying life event (QLE) (link). QLEs are certain life changes that may require a change in your insurance needs, including:

  • Having a baby, adopting a child, or placing a child up for adoption
  • Getting married
  • Losing other health coverage by losing a job-based plan, aging off your parents’ coverage at age 26, divorce, or losing eligibility for Medicaid or CHIP
  • Being denied Medicaid or CHIP coverage
  • Moving your residence outside your insurance plan’s service area
  • Gaining citizenship
  • Gaining status as a member of a federally recognized tribe or shareholder in an Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) Corporation
  • Leaving incarceration
  • Experiencing a change in income or household status that will affect eligibility for premium tax credits or cost-sharing reductions for those enrolled in Marketplace coverage
  • You or your dependents’ enrollment or non-enrollment in another benefit health plan was made as a result of an error by the Health Insurance Marketplace
  • You or your dependents demonstrated that the health benefit plan you were previously enrolled in substantially violated material provisions of the contract

Missed a Deadline?

If you miss your opportunity to sign up during the Open Enrollment period, see if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. If you do not qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, or you miss the deadline for your Special Enrollment Period, please contact us! We get it – life happens. Our agents are happy to walk you through alternative coverage options, such as Short Term Insurance, Health Care Share Organizations, etc. We’ll work with you to make sure you and your family find dependable health care coverage.