As summer winds down, at Virginia Medical Plans, we are gearing up… for open enrollment, that is! What is Open Enrollment? Open enrollment, arguably our busiest time of the year, is a set time period when anyone can purchase or change individual or family health insurance, for any reason. Outside the dates of open enrollment, you can purchase or change plans only if you have a qualifying event. When is
Beware of Short-Term, Limited Benefit Health Plans
The Virginia Bureau of Insurance recently issued a warning to Virginia residents to beware of high-pressure telemarketers selling short-term or limited benefit health insurance policies. We could not agree more. If you’re shopping for individual/family health insurance between February and November, be careful! These months fall outside open enrollment — the set time each year when anyone can buy Affordable Care Act (ACA)-compliant health insurance, for any reason. Unless you
Buying 2016 Health Insurance Outside of Open Enrollment
Health Insurance open enrollment for 2016 closed on January 31, 2016. Outside of Open Enrollment, you must have a qualifying event in order to purchase Affordable Care Act-compliant coverage which is effective in 2016. Examples of Qualifying Events for Health Insurance Change in marital status (marriage/divorce/death of a spouse) Relocation to a new state Change in family size (birth/adoption/death of a child) Loss of minimum essential health coverage (change in
What is a Special Enrollment Period for Health Insurance?
A special enrollment period (SEP) is a time outside of open enrollment* during which you can purchase a new health insurance policy. *Open enrollment for health insurance is a time each year when anyone can purchase or change a health insurance policy for any reason. For 2022 plans, open enrollment was November 1, 2021 – January 15, 2022. 2023 open enrollment will run from November 1, 2022 – January 15,
What is a Qualifying Event and What Should I Do if I Have One?
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
2016 Open Enrollment – What You Need to Know
Open Enrollment is a set time period each year during which anyone can buy a new health insurance plan for any reason. You cannot be denied coverage during Open Enrollment. Open Enrollment for 2016 health coverage is November 1, 2015 – January 31, 2016. 2016 Open Enrollment is Here If you are uninsured, Open Enrollment is your chance to get coverage for 2016 and avoid a penalty tax. If you
COBRA vs. Individual/Family Health Insurance Plan?
Before the Affordable Care Act (ACA, aka Obamacare), leaving a job meant either getting private health insurance (which was sometimes difficult because of pre-existing conditions), going without health insurance (NOT a good option!), or paying for coverage under COBRA. COBRA — the Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act — is the federal law that gives you the right to continue your employer-sponsored health insurance coverage for 18 months. The problem with COBRA,
What is the Penalty for Not Having Health Insurance in 2017?
If you went for more than 3 months without health insurance in 2016, you will be assessed a penalty when you file your 2016 income taxes. Here are the penalty amounts for not having coverage in 2015, 2016, and 2017. You can estimate your possible penalty by using the Estimator tool found at this link: https://taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/estimator/isrp/index.htm. 2015 2016 and 2017 $325 per adult $162.50 per child Family Maximum of $975
What are Key Dates for 2016 Health Insurance?
If you purchase health insurance for yourself or your family (vs. getting coverage through your employer), it is time to think about your 2016 coverage. Here are some dates to keep in mind: November 1, 2015. The start of Open Enrollment for 2016 health insurance. Open Enrollment is the time when you can apply for new health insurance coverage, or, if you already have coverage, you can pick a new
Preparing for 2016 Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment is a set time period each year during which anyone can buy a new health insurance plan for any reason. If you enroll during Open Enrollment, you cannot be denied coverage. If you are currently uninsured, this is your chance to get coverage for 2016 and avoid a penalty tax for being uninsured. If you are currently covered under an individual/family health plan (vs. having coverage through your
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