Life changes that can qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period

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Important: If you had a change more than 60 days ago but since January 1, 2020

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Because FEMA declared coronavirus 2019 (or COVID-19) to be a national emergency, if you qualified for a Special Enrollment Period but missed your deadline to enroll in coverage because you were impacted by the COVID-19 emergency, you may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period.

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If you or anyone in your household lost qualifying health coverage in the past 60 days (or more than 60 days ago but since January 1, 2020) OR expects to lose coverage in the next 60 days, you may qualify for this Special Enrollment Period through the application.

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If you had a life event other than a loss of coverage more than 60 days ago and missed your Special Enrollment Period, contact the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325) for more information.

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Changes in household

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You may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you or anyone in your household in the past 60 days:

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• Got married. Pick a plan by the last day of the month and your coverage can start the first day of the next month.

• Had a baby, adopted a child, or placed a child for foster care. Your coverage can start the day of the event — even if you enroll in the plan up to 60 days afterward.

• Got divorced or legally separated and lost health insurance. Note: Divorce or legal separation without losing coverage doesn’t qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period.

• Died. You’ll be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period if someone on your Marketplace plan dies and as a result you’re no longer eligible for your current health plan.

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Changes in residence

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Household moves that qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period:

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• Moving to a new home in a new ZIP code or county

• Moving to the U.S. from a foreign country or United States territory

• If you're a student, moving to or from the place you attend school

• If you're a seasonal worker, moving to or from the place you both live and work

• Moving to or from a shelter or other transitional housing

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Note: Moving only for medical treatment or staying somewhere for vacation doesn’t qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period.

Important: You must prove you had qualifying health coverage for one or more days during the 60 days before your move. You don't need to provide proof if you’re moving from a foreign country or United States territory.

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Loss of health insurance

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You may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you or anyone in your household lost qualifying health coverage in the past 60 days (or more than 60 days ago but since January 1, 2020) OR expects to lose coverage in the next 60 days.

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Important: If you lost coverage more than 60 days ago, but since January 1, 2020, and didn’t enroll sooner because you were impacted by the COVID-19 emergency declared by FEMA, you may still qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

Apply to see if you qualify. You may be asked to submit documents to confirm the loss of coverage.

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Coverage losses that may qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period:

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• Losing job-based coverage

• Losing individual health coverage for a plan or policy you bought yourself

• Losing eligibility for Medicaid or CHIP

• Losing eligibility for Medicare

• Losing coverage through a family member

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An employer offer to help with the cost of coverage

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You may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you or anyone in your household newly gained access to an individual coverage HRA or a Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement (QSEHRA) in the past 60 days OR expects to in the next 60 days.

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Note: Your employer may refer to an individual coverage HRA by a different name, like the acronym “ICHRA.”

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Generally, you’ll need to apply for and enroll in individual health insurance before your individual coverage HRA or QSEHRA starts. However, your employer may offer different options for when your individual coverage HRA or QSEHRA can start so you have more time to enroll. Contact them or check the notice you got from your employer for more information. If you’re currently enrolled in a Marketplace plan with savings, these savings may change because of the help you get through a job. Get more information on how your savings may change if you have an individual coverage HRA or QSEHRA offer.

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If you qualify to enroll in Marketplace coverage through this Special Enrollment Period, call the Marketplace Call Center to complete your enrollment. You can’t do this online.

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More qualifying changes

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Other life circumstances that may qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period:

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• Gaining membership in a federally recognized tribe or status as an Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) Corporation shareholder

• Becoming newly eligible for Marketplace coverage because you became a U.S. citizen

• Leaving incarceration

• Starting or ending service as an AmeriCorps State and National, VISTA, or NCCC member

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Learn about Special Enrollment Periods for complex issues.

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Important: You may have to verify your information

When you apply, you must attest that the information you provide on the application is true, including the facts that qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period. You may be required to submit documents that confirm your eligibility to enroll based on the life event you experience.