The Affordable Care Act’s third open-enrollment period ended Jan. 31, but some uninsured North Carolinians can still get coverage before enrollment reopens in November. Any uninsured consumer who experiences a qualifying life event can enroll in health coverage – right away – through the Health Insurance Marketplace through a “special enrollment period.”
Any of the following events could qualify an uninsured consumer to enroll in coverage through a special enrollment period:
- Moving outside of your coverage area
- Loss of current health coverage (for example, due to turning 26 years old or losing job-based coverage)
- Marriage or divorce
- The birth or adoption of a child
- A change in immigration status
- Problems or interruptions with your Marketplace coverage
- Other life-changing events
“We encourage North Carolinians who experience qualifying life events to utilize this opportunity to get covered instead of waiting until the next open enrollment,” said Jennifer Simmons, North Carolina Navigator Consortium Project Director. “In-person assisters are available across the state to answer consumers’ questions and help them make the best coverage decisions.”
“While the Affordable Care Act has helped over 613,000 North Carolinians get the peace of mind that comes with quality, affordable health coverage, special enrollment periods can help thousands more enroll right now,” said Sorien Schmidt, North Carolina Director for Enroll America. “Any uninsured consumer who thinks they have experienced a qualifying life event should act immediately – log on to healthcare.gov or schedule a time with an enrollment assister and find out what your options are to protect yourself and your family.”
Use the screener on HealthCare.gov to see if you qualify for a special enrollment period.
Individuals generally have 60 days from the date of the event to enroll in coverage. North Carolinians who have experienced a qualifying life event should report the change right away to the Marketplace by visiting healthcare.gov or calling 1-800-318-2596. To prevent a gap in coverage, consumers can report certain life changes in advance, such as a move or loss of coverage. Anyone with questions can also sit down with a free, in-person enrollment assister that can walk them through the enrollment process and make sure they’re selecting the best plan for their needs and budget. To schedule an appointment, North Carolinians should call 1-855-733-3711 (toll-free) or visit gcaconnector.org.
Across North Carolina, Legal Aid of North Carolina and Enroll America are working with volunteers and community organizations to ensure North Carolinians know about special enrollment periods and what it can mean for their coverage options if they experience a qualifying life event before open enrollment begins on November 1.
And for many North Carolinians, coverage is truly affordable. That’s because financial help is still available to lower their monthly premiums, just as it was during the recent open enrollment period.
Those who don’t have health insurance in 2016 may face a fine of $695 or 2.5% of their income – whichever is greater. And that’s on top of having to pay out of pocket for routine medical care and unexpected emergencies. So uninsured North Carolinians who experience a qualifying life event shouldn’t delay or risk paying high medical bills when they can have quality, affordable health insurance that will cover the essentials and protect them from the unexpected.