Have you recently moved or are you planning to move soon? If so, you may need to make a change to your healthcare plan.

Generally, there are two opportunities to enroll or make changes to your coverage. The first is during an open enrollment period. On the Health Insurance Marketplace, open enrollment occurs from Nov. 1 to Jan. 15. If you need insurance or need to change your insurance outside of this time frame, you may be able to get health insurance, or make a change to your current plan, if you experience a qualifying life event, which gives you a special enrollment period (SEP). Moving to a new location is a qualifying life event.

What is a Qualifying Life Event?

A qualifying life event is a change in your circumstances, such as losing a job or moving to a new location. Because these kinds of major life events can alter your health insurance needs, they are considered qualifying life events. They enable you to be eligible for a special enrollment period, during which you can choose a new insurance plan or make changes to your current coverage. You don’t have to wait for the yearly open enrollment.

Why is Moving a Qualifying Life Event?

Moving to a new location is a qualifying event because insurance rules and availability differ from state to state. Rules and availability may also differ if you move within the same state, so even a ZIP code change may count as a qualifying life event for an SEP.

You may also qualify for an SEP if you:

• Are a student moving to or from your school
• Are a seasonal worker moving to or from the place you live and work
• Move to or from a shelter or other transitional housing

Other Qualifying Life Events

In addition to changes in residence, there are three other general categories of qualifying life events.

1. Loss of health coverage, which includes:

• Losing existing health coverage, such as job-based, individual or student plans
• Losing eligibility for Medicare, Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
• Turning 26 and losing coverage through a parent’s plan

2. Changes in household, which includes:

• Getting married or divorced
• Having a baby or adopting a child
• Death in the family

3. Other qualifying events, which may include these and others:

• Changes in your income that affect the coverage for which you qualify
• 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)
• Starting or ending service as an AmeriCorps member

If you are planning to move or have recently moved, your health insurance coverage options may have changed. If you want to learn more, we’re here to help. Call us at 844-933-0380 (TTY: 711) from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET to learn more about your health insurance options. Our licensed agents can help you determine if you’re eligible and find the right plan for your unique needs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Qualifying Life Events