Under the Affordable Care Act, you can usually buy a health insurance plan, apply for grants to help pay for coverage or switch plans is during the annual open enrollment period.
The purpose of this rule is to prevent people to wait until they are sick or they suspect they are sick to purchase health insurance.
The open enrollment period for 2015 Medicare coverage ended in February.
If you do not have health insurance and need coverage for 2016, the next time you can buy the federal market will be during the next open enrollment period, which runs from 1 November 2015 to January 31, 2016.
the exception is if you have some qualifying life event that usually gives you 60 days from the date of the event to buy insurance on market.
Here are seven events of the most common life that you qualify for a special enrollment period.
1. Leaving your job
If you have insurance through your employer and you either quit or lose your job, you qualify for a special enrollment period .
If you apply for insurance through the health insurance market, keep in mind that a change in income can mean that you can receive a subsidy that covers all or most of your health insurance premium.
Be aware, however, that if your total income for the year is higher than you think when applying for the grant, you may have to pay part or all of the tax credit back when you file your taxes.
Another option is to stay on the policy of your employer under COBRA. However, if you sign up for COBRA, and then decide to cancel before, you do not receive another special enrollment period.
2. Getting married
When you marry, you are eligible for a special enrollment period. You have 60 days from the date of your wedding to buy health insurance, switch to another plan or add your spouse to your existing plan.
3. Getting divorce
What happens if you are getting health insurance through your spouse's policy and you get a divorce?
You have 60 days to find a new policy (by the market or privately) for your special enrollment period
assuming your income is lower as a single person, you may be eligible for a full or partial subsidy of your health insurance premiums.
. 4. New dependents
If you win a dependent you are eligible for a special enrollment period.
For example, if you have a baby, take in a home with children, adopt a child, or your parent or other dependent comes to live with you, you have a 60 day window to add this person to your policy or policies change.
If you do not have health insurance when you add a dependent, you can also buy during this period.
5. Move
Moving does not necessarily mean that you not qualify for a special enrollment period. If you do not have insurance and you move a few blocks away, for example, it is not a qualifying life event.
However, most health insurance plans are specific to a particular geographical area.
If you move out of your plan currently served by area, you have 60 days to find a new policy.
6. Change of citizenship status
Becoming a US citizen or legal immigrant in the United States during the year is considered a qualifying event of life.
As a US citizen or legal immigrant, you can buy health insurance through a government sponsored market and you can even receive subsidies to help offset the cost of premiums.
7. Leaving incarceration
Leaving prison or incarceration qualify for a special enrollment period, during which you can buy health insurance.
Why does having health insurance for 2015 matter? You could face a penalty when you file your federal tax return next year if you do not meet the requirements for the minimum essential coverage.
In 2015, the fee increases to over $ 325 per person or 2 percent of households taxable income.
Remember, you can register for the state Medicaid or Health Insurance Program for Children (CHIP) any time of year. (You do not have to wait for an open enrollment period.)
Although there are many life changes that qualify for a special enrollment period, voluntarily ending the insurance coverage is not a qualifying event.
If you think you qualify for a special enrollment period, you must apply through a government-sponsored market. If your special enrollment period is denied, you can appeal the decision.
0 Komentar