Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) for Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance allow individuals to enroll in or change their health insurance plans outside the annual Open Enrollment Period due to certain qualifying life events. Here are some common circumstances that may trigger a SEP:
### 1. Loss of Coverage
- You lose health coverage through your employer, or your plan ends.
- You lose eligibility for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
### 2. Changes in Household
- Getting married or divorced.
- Having a baby or adopting a child.
- Death of someone on your plan.
### 3. Changes in Residence
- Moving to a different ZIP code or county.
- Moving to the U.S. from abroad.
### 4. Other Qualifying Events
- Becoming a U.S. citizen or lawful resident.
- Experiencing a change in income that affects your eligibility for subsidies.
- Being released from incarceration.
### 5. Special Circumstances
- If you are a member of a federally recognized tribe or are eligible for health services through the Indian Health Service.
- Certain other extraordinary circumstances that may be determined by the marketplace.
### Enrollment Duration
Typically, SEPs last 60 days from the date of the qualifying event, allowing individuals to enroll in a plan or make changes to their existing coverage.
### How to Enroll
To enroll during a SEP, you will need to provide documentation of the qualifying event when applying through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Be sure to check the specific requirements and guidelines on the marketplace website for your state.
For personalized assistance, you may also consider reaching out to a health insurance navigator or a licensed insurance agent.
Respectfully,
Daniel Araujo President, AAIB, LLC
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