When it comes to health insurance, a qualifying event is a life event that makes you eligible to purchase health insurance outside the dates of open enrollment. A qualifying event triggers a special enrollment period lasting 30-60 days, depending on the event. Read more about special enrollment periods. Qualifying Events Change in marital status (marriage/divorce/death of a spouse) Relocation to a new state or to an area of your current
Buying 2015 Health Insurance Outside of Open Enrollment
Open enrollment for 2015 health insurance has ended. It ran from November 15, 2014 through February 15, 2015. Outside those dates, you must have a qualifying event in order to be eligible to purchase Affordable Care Act-compliant coverage which is effective in 2015. NOTE: Anthem has extended its deadline to purchase off-exchange 2015 coverage until February 28. Click here for more info. Examples of Qualifying Events Change in marital status
If I Currently Have COBRA Can I Switch to a Marketplace Plan?
COBRA, which is known by most as continuation of benefits, stands for the Consolidated Ominbus Reconciliation Act. Under this 1985 law, covered employees and their dependents who lose health insurance because of one of a series of qualifying events* are entitled to purchase continuation of that coverage. COBRA however, is typically very expensive. Now that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is here, many people who qualify for COBRA can find
What is a Qualifying Event and What Should I Do if I Have One?
Note: this post was originally published on May 12, 2014 but has been updated for 2015. What appears here is the updated information, as of March 2015. When it comes to health insurance, a qualifying event is a life event that makes you eligible to purchase health insurance outside the dates of open enrollment. A qualifying event triggers a special enrollment period lasting 30-60 days, depending on the event. Read
