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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