What Is A Qualifying Life Event?

​If you didn’t buy your health insurance during Open Enrollment and you’re looking to buy now, you’ve probably been asked the following question, “What is your Qualifying Life Event?”
*Blank stare*
 
A Qualifying Life Event is a change in your situation that allows you to buy health insurance outside of Open Enrollment. Typically Open Enrollment in during the Fall, for a set number of weeks, for coverage to start the following first of January. Your Qualifying Life Event also allows you to make changes to your current coverage.

​There are four basic categories that most Qualifying Life Events fall in to:
-Loss of Health Insurance
-Change in Household Size
-Change of Residence
-More qualifying changes
 
Loss of Health Insurance:
This applies to loss of coverage beyond your control. You may qualify for a 60 day window to get signed up for coverage if you lost coverage due to your employer no longer offering coverage, if you had a reduction in hours making you no longer eligible, if you a no longer employed (in/voluntary), or if your employer doesn’t offer qualifying healthcare coverage. You are also eligible if you lost coverage that you had through a family member.
 
Change in Household Size:
Did you get married, legally separated or divorced? Have you welcomed a new bundle of joy? You may qualify a 60 day window to add or make changes to your coverage.
 
Change of Residence:
Congratulations on moving to a county or zip code! Did you just move to the U.S. from a foreign country or United States territory? As long as you had coverage for one or more days before your 60 day window, you may be eligible to add or make changes to your coverage.
 
More Qualifying Changes:
There are other circumstances that may qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period. They may include leaving incarceration, becoming a U.S. Citizen, you become no longer eligible for Medicaid, etc.
 
Please contact us if you have any questions.  The information provided here is not meant to be final say, it is always best to consult with a Licensed California Insurance Broker for the most up to date information.