Had a Life Change? You Might Not Have to Wait for Health Insurance

Had a Life Change? You Might Not Have to Wait for Health Insurance Post

Many people believe that if they miss the annual Open Enrollment window, they have to wait another year to get ACA health coverage. We want you to know that for many, this isn't the case. If you've experienced a significant life event, you may be eligible for what's called a Special Enrollment Period (SEP), and at Health Benefits Enrollment Center, we can help you understand what that means.

A SEP is a specific time—usually 60 days—outside of the yearly Open Enrollment Period when you can sign up for a health insurance plan through the ACA Marketplace.

What Kind of Life Events Can Make You Eligible for a SEP?

While there are many qualifying life events, they generally fall into a few key categories. Here are some of the most common examples:

1. Changes in Your Household:

• Getting married: You and your new spouse have a window to enroll in a plan together.

• Having a baby, adopting a child, or placing a child for foster care: Your household has grown, and you can get new coverage for your family.

• Getting divorced or legally separated and losing health insurance: This event allows you to enroll in your own plan.

2. Loss of Other Health Coverage:

• Losing job-based coverage: If you leave a job, are laid off, or your hours are reduced, losing your employer's health plan makes you eligible.

• Losing eligibility for Medicare, Medicaid, or CHIP.

• Turning 26 and losing coverage through a parent’s plan.

3. A Change in Your Residence:

• Moving to a new ZIP code or county that offers different health plan options.

• Moving to the U.S. from a foreign country or U.S. territory.

4. Other Qualifying Events:

• Changes in your income that affect the coverage you qualify for.

• Becoming a U.S. citizen.

Why Understanding Your SEP is So Important

Knowing about Special Enrollment Periods is crucial because it means you may not have to face a long gap in health coverage. A life change is often when you need the reassurance of good health insurance the most, and a SEP provides that opportunity.

The key is to act in a timely manner, as the 60-day window after your qualifying event is firm.

Your Next Step: How We Can Help You Get Covered

We know that figuring out if your life event qualifies can seem like one more thing to handle during a busy time. This is exactly why we created our self-help enrollment process at Health Benefits Enrollment Center.

Our process is designed to be straightforward. When you're ready, our founder, Robert Lewis, provides clear, step-by-step video guidance to help you check your eligibility for a Special Enrollment Period. If you qualify, he will then show you how to compare the plans available to you and complete your enrollment online, all at your own pace.

Don't wait and wonder if you can get coverage. Visit our guided enrollment center today to see how we can help you find and enroll in the ACA health plan you need, right now.