The official end of the 2015 open enrollment period was February 15th. However, for anyone who didn’t know having health insurance is the law and experienced a tax penalty during 2014 there was an extended period till April 30th. The next open enrollment period starts on November 1st 2015. There are a couple of solution if you are without Health Insurance currently. You may be eligible for a special enrollment period if you experienced any of the following.
Note: this list is not exhaustive and depending on your state of residence and if you are enrolling through an exchange or not there may be additional rules or exceptions. Please contact a licensed Insurance Agent in your area.
Lost or will soon lose my health insurance
Examples:
- You lose Medi-Cal or Medicaid coverage.
- You lose your employer-sponsored coverage.
- Your COBRA coverage is exhausted. Note: Not paying your COBRA premium is not considered loss of coverage.
- You are no longer eligible for student health coverage.
- You turn 26 years old and are no longer eligible for a family plan.
- You turn 19 years old and are no longer eligible for a child-only plan.
Had a baby or adopted a child
(If you receive a child in foster care, you will also qualify for a special enrollment period but will need to indicate “adopted a child” in the drop-down menu.)
Examples:
- A child is born, adopted or received into foster care. The entire family can use the special enrollment period to enroll in coverage.
- If you place your child for adoption or foster care, you can use a special enrollment period to enroll in coverage.
Got married or entered into domestic partnership
Example:
- One or both members of the new couple can use the special enrollment period to enroll in coverage.
Returned from active duty military service
Example:
- You have lost coverage after leaving active duty, reserve duty, or the California National Guard.
Returned from active duty military service
Example:
- You have lost coverage after leaving active duty, reserve duty, or the California National Guard.
Federally Recognized American Indian/Alaska Native
Example:
- If you are a member of a federally recognized American Indian tribe, you can enroll at any time and change plans once per month.
Loss of Job and or income
Example:
- If you, a spouse, or dependent lost a job even though it didn’t result in the loss of your insurance you may be eligible.