Qualifying for a Special Enrollment Period Due to a Change in Employment

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a change in employment may open up the door for up a Special Enrollment Period.  To be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period, the change in employment must affect your eligibility for health insurance.

Let’s take a look at some situations where a change in employment can result in the opportunity for you and your family to acquire or change health insurance coverage:

  1. You Quit Your Job – Many circumstances can contribute to a need to leave an employer. Most of us will quit at least one job during our lives.  If you leave employment voluntarily, and had insurance coverage through your employer prior to quitting, the loss of group health insurance as a result of leaving your employer is considered an involuntary loss of coverage.  You therefore qualify for a Special Enrollment Period under ACA, and can apply for and enroll in health insurance for 60 days from the date you lose group coverage.
  2. You Were Fired – Unless your dismissal was for gross misconduct, losing group coverage as a result of employment termination is considered an involuntary loss of coverage and will qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. You have 60 days from the loss of coverage to purchase new health insurance.
  3. You Changed Job Positions – If you were receiving group health insurance under a previous employer and took a new job that doesn’t offer health coverage, you qualify under ACA for a Special Enrollment Period. The same also applies to job position changes within the same company, where your new position no longer qualifies you for group insurance (i.e. going from a full-time position with benefits to a part-time position that does not qualify for benefits). Your Special Enrollment Period begins the day you lose coverage and lasts for 60 days.

If you live in North Carolina and experienced a change in employment that lead to a loss of health coverage, visit the agents at WNC Health Insurance for free assistance enrolling in the Federal Marketplace. Our agents can guide you through the application process, and help you to find a health plan that will benefit you and your family.

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