I was told I can only enroll during Open Enrollment Period. Is that true?

Question:

I recently moved from CA to TX and my health insurance doesn’t cover me here. I was told I can only enroll during Open Enrollment Period. Is that true?

Answer:

Yes, we are currently in Special Enrollment Period. Meaning you may only enroll into a new health insurance plan if you qualify. Open Enrollment Period (OEP) runs November 1, 2017 – December 15, 2017.

Moving to a different ZIP code or county is considered a Qualifying Life Event (QLE) and would allow you to enroll in a Texas plan right now. You have 60 days from the date you moved. You can still make a plan change come OEP.

Here are some additional examples.

Involuntary Loss of Coverage:

• Losing job-based coverage
• COBRA expiring
• Losing individual health coverage
• Losing eligibility for Medicare, Medicaid or CHIP
• Losing coverage through a family member

Change in Household Size:

• Getting married
• Having a baby or adopting a child
• Getting divorced or legally separated
• Death

Change in Residence:

• Moving to a different ZIP code or county
• A student moving to or from the place where they attend school
• A seasonal worker moving to or from the place they both live and work
• Moving to the U.S. from a foreign country