Special Application Period
What is the special application period?
People who have experienced a qualifying special event can reapply for a health plan outside of the open application period. People who already have a plan and have experienced a qualifying special event can change their coverage or choose a new plan.
Let us help you apply
You can apply online or give us a call. Due to the current situation, you may experience longer than normal wait times, but we encourage customers to call and try not to come into the office.
Other special events
- Lose Medicaid (state subsidized insurance).
- Loss of employer-provided health insurance.
- Expiration of COBRA coverage. (Please note: cancellation for non-payment of premiums is not considered a loss of coverage)
- No longer eligible to purchase student health insurance.
- You are 19 years of age or older and are no longer eligible for Children’s Health Insurance.
- You are 26 years of age or older and are no longer eligible to use your parent’s health plan. If you live in California, you can continue to use your health insurance until December 31 of the current year, even if you are 26 years old. If your parents are on employer-provided health insurance, you will be able to purchase health insurance during the special application period. Your special application period is 60 days before your coverage expires and 60 days after your coverage expires, for a total of 120 days.
Moving
- Recently moved
- Moving across state line 9e.g., from New Jersey to Pennsylvania)
- Moved within the state and can purchase at least one new insurance plan (usually different plans available for different zip codes)
(applies to ex-prisoners)
Recently married, or have a domestic partner
- Both can purchase insurance through a special application period.
- A child is born, a child is adopted or a foster child is taken in. The entire family can purchase insurance through a special application period.
- If you take in a foster child, you will need to indicate this on your application.
These are some of the common events that qualify for a special filing period. For more examples, please read Special Application Periods and Special Events.
Deadline to apply for coverage after experiencing a special event
For most qualifying special events, you have 60 days from the date of occurrence to purchase a new health insurance plan or change an existing plan. If the 60 days have passed and you have not applied for a plan, you will have to wait until the next open enrollment period.
How to apply for insurance after experiencing a special event
Most special events can be covered by applying for insurance online. You can also call 800-318-2695. or visit the help page for more help, including insurance brokers and directory navigation.
Effective time of insurance and avoidance of uninsured periods
The effective date of your health insurance will depend on your particular event.
For the following events, the effective date of coverage will be the first of the month following the application for coverage:
- Lose government subsidized coverage or employer-provided coverage.
- Marriage or having a common-law partner.
- For the birth or adoption of a child, or receiving foster care, your coverage begins on the first day of the month following the birth, adoption or foster care, but you may choose to have coverage effective on the date of birth, adoption or foster care, or on the first of the following month.
- For most other qualifying special events, the start date of coverage depends on the date of application. If you apply before the 15th of the month, coverage will begin on the first day of the following month. If you apply after the 15th of the month, coverage will begin on the first day of the second month. For example, if you apply on April 10, coverage will begin on May 1. If you apply on April 16, coverage will begin on June 1.
Documents required to prove special events
Some customers applying for insurance during the special application period will need to submit proof. If you receive a letter asking you to submit documentation to prove a special event, please check the list of documents that are acceptable for special applications to send us the correct documents.