What is considered a Qualifying Life Event?
According to the IRS, there are 4 types of events that allow you to make changes to your health coverage.
A change in your situation like having a baby, getting married, or a spouse losing health coverage can make you eligible for a Special Enrollment, allowing you to enroll in health insurance outside the annual Open Enrollment period. Here is a list of reasons identified by the IRS that qualify you to make a change.
Loss of health coverage
- Losing existing health coverage, including job-based, individual, and student plans
- Losing eligibility for Medicare, Medicaid, or CHIP
- Turning 26 and losing coverage through a parent’s plan
Changes in household
- Getting married or divorced
- Having a baby or adopting a child
- Death in the family
Changes in residence
- Moving to a different ZIP code or county
- A student moving to or from the place they attend school
- A seasonal worker moving to or from the place they both live and work
- Moving to or from a shelter or other transitional housing
Other qualifying events
- Changes in your income that affect the coverage you qualify for
- Gaining membership in a federally recognized tribe or status as an Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) Corporation shareholder
- Becoming a U.S. citizen
- Leaving incarceration (jail or prison)
- AmeriCorps members starting or ending their service
For questions related to Change of Life Events, Email us here or speak to one of our Client Advocates at 844-760-5570 about your specific issue.
