Health Insurance Special Enrollment Periods

Length Of Time To Enroll In A Qualified Health Plan

You have 60 days from the date of your triggering event to enroll in a qualified health plan.
It’s highly recommended that you start the enrollment process as soon possible; within 1-2 weeks of your event. This ensures the process goes smoothly and you’re able to secure your new coverage.

Job Loss And COBRA During Special Enrollment Period

In the case of job loss, employers with 20 or more employees are required by law to offer a continuation of health insurance benefits. You should receive a notice of your right to continuing group health coverage notice from your former employer within 60 days of the date when you lost coverage. When you are on a continuation of benefits covered under COBRA, you pay the full monthly premium of the insurance.

Coverage For Pre-Existing Conditions

If you’ve experienced job loss, you’re not obligated to continue with your previous employer’s group health coverage under COBRA. Instead, you can opt for a health plan through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace during a special enrollment period. This gives you access to a range of health plans, potentially with subsidies to lower monthly premiums based on your income. You can compare and choose a plan that best suits your needs, without being restricted to your previous employer’s group insurance.

Voluntarily Quitting Health Coverage Is Not A Qualifying Event

Stopping health coverage for not paying insurance premiums are not considered loss of coverage. Losing coverage that is not minimum essential coverage is also not considered loss of coverage. If you were to quit your job or get fired, you can keep your employer’s health plan by using your COBRA rights. If you do not make your premium payments and lose that coverage, you will not be able to enroll in major medical health insurance until the federal open enrollment or through your next employer.