Special Enrollment Period

Special Enrollment Period

It’s Not Too Late If You Have a Life Event Coming Up

The final date to apply for open enrollment, effective January 1, 2019, in California was December 15, 2018. Though we are now past this period, you can still apply in the case that you are going through a life event. These life events can include marriage, divorce, aging out of a parents’ policy, loss of a job, moving/relocating or having a child.

In these instances, you can still purchase insurance outside of the enrollment period. You will have 30 days to withdraw from the day your other policy ends to enroll in a new plan of coverage in what’s called a Special Enrollment Period.

Special Enrollment Period

Here Are The Life Events That Will Qualify You For Such An Enrollment Exception:

Loss of health coverage

  • Loss of a job
  • Aging out of parents’ insurance plan at age 26
  • Losing eligibility for Medicaid, Medicare, or CHIP

Change in residence

  • Changing your zip code or county
  • A student moving from the place they attended school

Changes in your family

  • Marriage or divorce
  • Having or adopting a child
  • Death in the family

A significant change in income

  • Becoming a US citizen
  • Leaving prison or jail

These events will make you eligible for this special enrollment period wherein you can purchase insurance at the time of the event. Please contact us at Bernardini and Donovan for any questions you might have about obtaining coverage in the post-enrollment period.

New Special Enrollment Period For Health Insurance

Health Insurance Special Enrollment Period

If you missed out on signing up for health insurance during open enrollment, do not worry! The Federal government has recently announced that they are opening a special enrollment period for those who were not able to sign up for health insurance during open enrollment. This special enrollment period runs from March 15th to April 30th and is the last time that you will be able to sign up for health insurance coverage for 2015. While this special enrollment period only applies to the 37 states that are covered through the federal marketplace, state-run exchanges are expected to follow.

In order to qualify for the special enrollment period, people will have to prove that they only became aware of the tax penalty for not having health insurance when they were filing their taxes. While the special enrollment period will not reverse the fine for not having health care, it will give people a chance to get the right health care plan for their needs.

Under the Affordable Care Act, everyone is required to have a health insurance plan, or face a financial penalty. However, many people were not aware of the penalty for not having health insurance until they started filling out their tax return for 2014.

The government also recently accounted that the wrong information to help calculate whether they received too much or too little of a subsidy for last year was sent out to 800,000 people. People who have been affected should have already been notified by phone or email, and need to wait to file their taxes until they receive a new 1095-A form, which was sent out in early March.

For all of your health insurance needs and to ensure that you have the right amount of health care under Covered California, contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services in Redlands, California.

Special Enrollment Period Is Now Open

Forgot To Sign Up For Health Insurance? Special Enrollment Period Is Now Open!

It is not too late to sign up for health insurance! Even though the open enrollment period ended on February 15th, Covered California and the Federal government are offering a new special enrollment period for those who were not able to sign up for health care coverage during open enrollment.

In order to qualify for the special enrollment period, you must prove that you were not aware of the tax penalty for not having health insurance in 2014, or that you may now be facing a penalty for not having health insurance during the beginning of 2015. The special enrollment period opened on March 15th, and will stay open until April 30th to give people the chance to sign up for health coverage.

It is important to keep in mind that while you now have a chance to sign up for health coverage if you are not already enrolled in a plan, the special enrollment period will not get rid of any penalties that you already have to pay. To attest that you did not know about the penalty for not having coverage, you must select “Informed of Tax Penalty Risk” on the drop down menu on the Covered California website.

In addition to the special enrollment period, there are other qualifying life events that may help to qualify you for a special enrollment period. Some of the most common qualifying life events include getting married or divorced, having or adopting a child, or moving to a state that does not offer the same health care plan that you are currently enrolled in.

For all of your health insurance needs and to ensure that you have the right amount of protection, contact the health insurance professionals at Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services in Redlands, California.

Do You Qualify For The Special Enrollment Period?

Understanding Eligibility Of The Special Enrollment Period

With the deadline for the second Obamacare open enrollment period now in the rear view mirror, many individuals who failed to obtain health insurance before the deadline will soon be receiving penalties in the mail. Due to the enactment of the Affordable Care Act, each and every one of us is now required to obtain health coverage or receive a penalty.

If you want to avoid penalties, you must obtain health insurance. However, there is one way out of this requirement: the special enrollment period. The special enrollment period provides an individual with varying circumstances a second chance at enrolling for health care. However, you must experience one of the many qualifying life events in order to be eligible for the special enrollment period.

Life events that may make you eligible to take advantage of the special enrollment period and avoid penalties include:

  • Getting married changes your tax situation and health care needs, so you can take advantage of the special enrollment period.
  • Likewise, having a baby, adopting a baby, and placing a child in adoption or foster care all make you eligible for the special enrollment period.
  • Do not fret if your existing health coverage drops or changes, as you will be able to obtain new health insurance during the special enrollment period.
  • Permanent moves that change your coverage area or coverage requirements allow you to obtain health insurance during the special enrollment period.
  • If your citizenship status changes you can obtain health insurance during the special enrollment period.

Rather than leaving yourself unprotected, seek the care you deserve today! Contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services in Redlands for all of your California health insurance needs. As Covered California experts, you can rest assured that we will be your guiding hand in the realm of health insurance and health care.

I Missed The Open Enrollment Deadline! What Now?

When it comes to your health, you want to ensure that you will be protected no matter what unforeseen health problem may come your way. In order to do so, you must purchase a health care plan. It can be difficult to find a comprehensive plan that fits nicely into your budget. The Marketplace offers a variety of health care plans that benefit most individuals.

As of November, open enrollment 2015 is currently in session. Millions of Americans are navigating the Marketplace, attempting to evaluate their health care needs. The deadline by which you must select your health plan is February 15th, 2015. Even if you are well aware of this deadline, there is always the chance that life throws you a curveball, and you miss it. If this happens, what should you do?

First things first, do not stress! Here is some information about the Obamacare offseason that may put your mind at ease:

  • Do not cast away your incomplete application in despair! You should continue to complete your application, even if the deadline has passed. The administration has been known to make exceptions for special circumstances.
  • If you happen to have recently gotten married, divorced, or adopted a child, you may qualify for a special enrollment period.
  • Consider enrolling in Medicaid. There is no deadline for Medicaid enrollment.
  • If you were turned down for a special enrollment period, and believe that the decision was made unfairly, you can make an appeal. Visit the HealthCare.gov website to learn more about the appeal process.
  • Consider purchasing a health care plan through the private market.

For more information about open enrollment 2015, deadlines, or private health care plans, please contact a Certified Covered California agent from Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services, located in Redlands California. We have the experience necessary to assist you with all of your health care needs.

Using an Insurance Broker to Successfully Maneuver the Open Enrollment Period

If you are one of the many Americans who missed Obamacare’s first open enrollment period, it is important that you start preparing so that you can be ready when the second open enrollment period arrives. If you miss this second period, you will be forced to pay a penalty for each month that you do not have health insurance. Unless you qualify for the special enrollment period, you could be paying hefty penalties for several months until the third open enrollment period arrives.

The second Covered California open enrollment period starts on November 15, 2014 and will end on February 15, 2015. During this time, you must obtain health insurance in order to avoid the penalty. During the weeks leading up to the second open enrollment period, you will want to gather all important documents such as birth certificates, proof of citizenship, etc. If you find the market exchange confusing, an insurance broker can guide you through this complicated process.

We understand how confusing the laws and regulations surrounding Obamacare can be, especially if you have never purchased health insurance before. Many individuals who are inexperienced in purchasing health insurance benefit immensely by using a broker. Insurance brokers such as the experienced brokers at Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services guide you through each step of the health insurance process, free of charge. Our experience makes us the perfect candidates to sit down and compare varying plans and policies with you, to ensure that you obtain the most affordable policy possible.

Contact Bernardini & Donovan Insurance Services in Redlands for all of your California health insurance needs. We are extremely knowledgeable in all regulations and laws surrounding the Affordable Care Act, which is why we are the perfect team to guide you in your health insurance endeavors. We can help ensure that your health insurance complies will all new rules and regulations.

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