What is a Qualifying Life Event which qualifies one for Special Enrollment?
1.) You move to a new area that offers you different plans, or isn’t covered by your HMO or PPO network.
2.) You get married.
3.) You have or adopt a child.
4.) You lose other health coverage due to job loss, a decrease in work hours, end of COBRA coverage or other reasons.
5.) You become a U.S. citizen.
6.) Your income changes, or some other event changes your income or household status.
7.) You can prove that your health insurance company violated its contract with you.
8.) You are no longer covered on a family member’s policy because you turned 26, you have legally separated from or divorced your spouse, or the policy holder has passed away.
9.) You become a member of an American Indian and Alaska Native tribe.
10.) You experience an error or other complication when trying to enroll.
11.) You experience other events that qualify for special enrollment.
12.) Special Enrollment guide from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois.
How does Special Enrollment work?
In most cases, you have 60 days after the qualifying life event to enroll in or change your health plan. If you have insurance through your job, you may only have 30 days to enroll. If you qualify for Special Enrollment click the logo below to compare BCBSIL plans and find the right health insurance plan for you and your family.
What if you don’t qualify for Special Enrollment?
If you missed open enrollment and don’t qualify for the special enrollment period, you can still stay insured by buying short-term health insurance from BCBSIL. They offer affordable short-term plans that can keep you covered until the next open enrollment period begins on November 15, 2014.
Please note: Short-term plans give you basic health care coverage, but they don’t meet the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s minimum essential coverage requirements. As a result, you may still have to pay a fine for having a plan that doesn’t meet these requirements.
Depending on your income, you may qualify for Medicaid or CHIP. There is no special enrollment period for those government offered coverage options – you can apply at any time.
Members of American Indian tribes can enroll any month, not just during open enrollment. You can even apply for cost assistance. Click below to shop for Short-term health insurance with BCBSIL.
