You can still enroll in an ACA plan as long as you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period due to a Qualifying Life Event
(QLE). Here are a few examples.
If you have any questions or concerns, I can help you
determine if you qualify. If you don’t
qualify, the next open enrollment begins November 1, 2015. - Getting married
- Having a baby, adopting a child or placing a child for adoption or foster care
- Losing other health coverage *
- Moving to a new residence
- Gaining citizenship or lawful presence in the US
*Examples of losing other health coverage.
If you're not eligible for the special enrollment period, consider enrolling in
a short term plan. Short term plans do
not provide minimum essential benefits required by the Affordable Care Act, but
many of my clients use this option if they missed open enrollment, or if they
only need it as a stop gap before their employer coverage begins.- Losing job-based coverage for any reason
- Losing coverage through divorce
- COBRA coverage expiring
- Aging off a parent’s plan when you turn 26
- Losing eligibility for Medicaid or CHIP
Reminder: Without an ACA plan, you may have to pay a
shared responsibility payment (penalty) when you file your tax returns next
year.
