By Taylor Spangler, project assistant at MEACA (Marketplace Exchanges of the Afffordable Care Act)

Reviewed by Michael Gutter, PhD, Department of Family, Youth, and Community Sciences, University of Florida

Do you know someone who recently got married, had a child, or moved to a new county? If so, they may be able to enroll in a new health care plan though the Health Insurance Marketplace!

During the first open enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act, which took place from October, 2013 to April, 2014, more than 8 million Americans signed up for private health insurance plans through the Marketplace. Although this initial open enrollment period is now over, certain qualifying events allow you to enroll now, without waiting for the next open enrollment.

Special Enrollment Events: Who Qualifies?

For instance, if you involuntarily lost health coverage or are about to lose coverage, you can apply for a new plan through the marketplace. Individuals and families who are experiencing major life events like marriage, births, divorce, or gaining citizenship are also able to enroll in a new health plan or switch to a different plan through the marketplace. Take a look at the graphic below for additional qualifying events:

Check the Screener

You can also use this screener from healthcare.gov to find out if you qualify for special enrollment: https://www.healthcare.gov/screener/ The screener is specific by state. It can help you find out if you are eligible for a special enrollment period, and if so, to apply.

Don’t Forget to Notify!

If you or someone in your household has experienced a life event that makes you eligible for special enrollment, you have 60 days after the date of the event to report it to the marketplace. If you do not, you will not be eligible for special enrollment. To do so, visit https://www.healthcare.gov/ or call 1-800-318-2596.

Note that members of federally recognized Native tribes and Alaska Native shareholders have access to open enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace all year, and may switch plans monthly.

Medicaid, CHIP, and SHOP: What You Need to Know

Medicaid and CHIP (the Children’s Health Insurance Program) are health insurance programs available to help low-income people who may not be able to afford the plans in the marketplace. You can enroll in these plans at any time of year, as long as you are eligible. To find out if you or your family is eligible for Medicaid or CHIP, visit https://www.healthcare.gov/screener/. Floridians can also go through http://www.myflorida.com/accessflorida/.

Owners of small businesses can apply for SHOP coverage all year as well. SHOP helps small business owners provide their employees with health insurance. To learn more about SHOP, visit https://www.healthcare.gov/marketplace/shop/.

Next Open Enrollment

If you do not qualify for special enrollment now, you will be able to apply for new coverage (which can begin as early as January 1, 2015) starting on November 15, 2014. This open enrollment period will close on February 15, 2015.

(Photo credit: EMT/Nursing Pediatric Emergency Simulation – April 2013 18 by COD Newsroom. CC BY 2.0. Cropped.)

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