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
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
Buying Health Insurance After March 31 During a Special Enrollment Period
March 31 has come and gone. And with it has come the end of open enrollment for 2014 health insurance plans. Unless you had already begun an application on or before that date through healthcare.gov (the federal health insurance exchange used by Virginia residents), March 31 was the last day you could purchase non-group health insurance coverage during 2014 open enrollment. However, there may still be an opportunity to purchase
What is the Future of COBRA?
COBRA stands for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, which is the federal law that allows many workers to be able to continue their group health insurance coverage, at least temporarily, through a continuation of coverage program. Although COBRA does not apply to all employers, there are other state and federal laws which make it possible for most employees who lose their employment due to a qualified event
