Special Enrollment Periods and Qualifying Life Events
MN Health Staff Writer | April 8, 2014
Special Enrollment Periods and Qualifying Life Events
What is a Special Enrollment Period? You and your family may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP), which is a time outside of open enrollment. This is a time when you would have the ability to change your insurance plan. You must have experienced a Qualifying Life Event (QLE). Generally, your SEP starts on the date that the Qualifying Life Event takes place, and ends60 days later. You must choose a new plan and pay the premium before the SEP ends in order to guarantee coverage.
What is a Qualifying Life Event? A Qualifying Life Event (QLE) is a major change in your life that allows you to switch your insurance plan outside of the open enrollment period. See the chart below for examples of QLE's, what documentation you need, and when your new coverage can begin.
MNSure has also put out a guide for those who are wondering if they may have experienced a Qualifying Life Event that would enable them to choose a new health plan. You can view it here.
|
Triggering Event |
Required Documents |
Coverage Effective Date |
|
Birth of Child |
Child's full name and date of birth |
Date of birth |
|
Adoption |
Court/Placement documents |
Date of Adoption |
|
Marriage |
Date of marriage and county |
First day of the following month |
|
Gained Citizenship |
Court Documents |
First day of the following month |
|
Permanant Move |
Proof of address change |
First day of the following month |
|
Reached Dependant Age Limit (26) |
Letter from previous carrier |
First day of the following month |
|
Death of Health Plan Subscriber |
Date of Death and County |
First day of the following month |
|
Divorce |
Court Documents |
First day of the following month |
|
Loss of Employment |
COBRA Notification |
First day of the following month |
|
Employer Terminated Coverage |
COBRA Notification |
First day of the following month |
|
Loss of Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare |
Letter from MA OR MNCare |
First day of the following month |