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Health insurance brings down the cost of everything from regular checkups to major procedures, making it crucial to protecting you and your loved ones. While most people can only enroll in a new health plan during open enrollment starting November 1 of each year, significant changes in circumstances — called qualifying life events — may make you eligible to enroll in health coverage outside open enrollment.1 Read on to learn more about qualifying life events for insurance in more detail and several types of events so you can see if you qualify for a special enrollment period.
A qualifying life event for insurance is a major planned or unintentional change in your circumstances that can impact your insurance needs. A qualifying life event makes you eligible for a special enrollment period outside regular health insurance enrollment so you can shift to a new plan that fits your new needs.
Numerous changes may count as qualifying life events, including:2
Getting married substantially impacts your financial and legal status since you may now have to provide coverage for your spouse. Therefore, you’re allowed to take advantage of a special enrollment period.
Divorce alters your coverage needs as significantly as marriage since you might no longer need coverage for your former spouse. This counts as a qualifying life event, so you can get a plan with less coverage to save on premiums.
Having or adopting children is a qualifying life event since you must provide them with coverage. A special enrollment period lets you select a plan that covers your children's needs.
When you turn 26, you can no longer remain on your parent’s health insurance. So, turning 26 is a qualifying life event, allowing you to shift seamlessly to your own plan.
Once you turn 65, you qualify for Medicare coverage. However, seniors may need more health coverage than younger individuals. Therefore, you can change your health plan during a special enrollment period at age 65, whether you’re increasing or decreasing your private coverage outside Medicare.
Many insurers offer health coverage as part of their benefits packages, so changing your employment status is a qualifying life event. For example, if you get laid off, you may eventually lose workplace coverage when COBRA ends. Therefore, you can get a chance to enroll in a new plan outside the regular enrollment period. Keep in mind that changing jobs within an organization, such as through a promotion, does not count as a qualifying life event.
Health insurance varies widely by area, so moving to a new address can be a qualifying life event. What qualifies as a new area can depend on your area's health insurance regulations. In general, moving to a new ZIP code may qualify you for the special enrollment period.
Here are some other qualifying life events:
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Help cover yourself and your family with affordable coverage from Aflac.
If you experience a qualifying life event, here’s what to do:
After you experience a qualifying life event, your special enrollment period may last 30 to 60 days after the event.3 Many individual market plans are on the higher end of that range. Workplaces must also provide a special enrollment period of at least 30 days after any qualifying event.4 Regardless, it’s important to act fast. If you don’t enroll in a new plan during this period, you must wait until open enrollment, which starts November 1 of each year.
Insurers understand that life can change, and so can your health insurance coverage needs. So, life events like marriage, divorce, having children, turning 65, and more allow you to change coverage outside the normal open enrollment period so you can get coverage that suits your unique situation.
If you need additional coverage, you can apply for a supplemental insurance policy through Aflac. We offer a variety of plans, including critical illness, accident, life, and dental insurance. Chat with an agent today to explore our array of options and get a quote.
1HealthCare.gov - A quick guide to the Health Insurance Marketplace®. https://www.healthcare.gov/quick-guide/dates-and-deadlines/. Accessed March 20, 2024.
2HealthCare.gov - Qualifying life event (QLE). https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/qualifying-life-event/. Accessed March 20, 2024.
3BambooHR - What is a Qualifying Life Event for Insurance? https://www.bamboohr.com/resources/hr-glossary/qualifying-life-event. Accessed March 20, 2024.
4HealthCare.gov - Special Enrollment Period (SEP). https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/special-enrollment-period/. Accessed March 20, 2024.
Coverage underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus. In New York, coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of New York.
Life: 68000: In Arkansas, Idaho, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, & Virginia, Policies: ICC1368100, ICC1368200, ICC1368300, ICC1368400. In Delaware, Policies A68100-A68400. In New York, NY68100-NY68400. In Virginia, Policies ICC0965JTO & ICC0965JWO. 65000: In VA, Policies ICC0965JTO & ICC0965JWO. B61000: In AR, ID, OK, OR, PA, TX, & VA, Policies: ICC18B61JWO & ICC18B61JTO. In DE, Policies B61JWO, B61JTO. B6000: In AR, ID, OK, PA, TX, & VA, Policies: ICC18B60C10, ICC18B60100, ICC18B60200, ICC18B60300, & ICC18B60400. Q6000 Whole: In AR, DE & OR, Policy Q60100M. In ID Policy Q60100MID. In OK, Policy Q60100MOK. In PA, Policy Q60100MPA. In TX, Policy Q60100MTX. Q6000 Term: In DE, Policies Q60200M. In AR, ID, OK, OR & TX, Policies ICC18Q60200M, ICC18Q60300C, ICC18Q60400C. Critical Illness: In Delaware, Policies A73100DE & A7310HDE. Policies B71100, B71200, B7130H & B7140H. In Oklahoma, Policies A73100OK & A7310HOK. Policies B71100OK & B7110HOK. In Virginia, Policy A73100VA. Accident: A36000: In Delaware, Policies A36100DE—A36400DE, & A363OFDE. In Idaho, Policies A36100ID–A36400ID, & A363OFID. In Oklahoma, Policies A36100OK– A36400OK, & A363OFOK. In Virginia, Policies A36100VA – A36400VA, & A363OFVA. 37000: In DE, Policies A371AA & A371BA. In ID, Policy A37000ID. In OK, Policy A37000OK. In VA, Policies A371AAVA & A371BAVA. Dental: 81000: In Delaware, Policies A81100–A81400. In Idaho, Policies A81100ID–A81400ID. In Oklahoma, Policies A81100OK–A81400OK. In Virginia, Policies A81100VA–A81200VA. 82000: In Delaware, Policies A82100R–A82400R. In Idaho, Policies A82100RID–A82400RID. In Oklahoma, Policies A82100ROK–A82400ROK. In Virginia, Policies A82100RVA–A82400RVA.
Coverage is underwritten by Tier One Insurance Company.
Final Expense: Arkansas, Delaware, Idaho, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, & Virginia, Policies ICC21-AFLLBL21 and ICC21-AFLRPL21; and Riders ICC21-AFLABR22, ICC21-AFLADB22, and ICC21-AFLCDR22.Critical Illness: In Delaware, Policy T71000. In Oklahoma, Policy T71000OK. In Virginia, Policy T71100VA. Accident: In Delaware, Policy T37000. In Idaho, Policies T37100IDR, T37200IDR, & T37300IDR.In Oklahoma, Policy T37000OK. T80000 Not available in New York, or Virginia. In Arkansas, Policy T80000AR. In Delaware, Policy T80000. In Idaho, Policy T80000ID. In Oklahoma, Policy T80000OK. In Oregon, Policy T80000OR. In Pennsylvania, Policy T80000PA. In Texas, Policy T80000TX. Dental claims are administered by Aflac Benefits Solutions, Inc. Vision claims are administered by EyeMed Vision Care, LLC. Hearing claims are administered by Nations Hearing
NOTICE: The coverage offered is not a qualified health plan (QHP) under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and is not required to satisfy essential health benefits mandates of the ACA. The coverage provides limited benefits.
Tier One Insurance Company is part of the Aflac family of insurers. In California, Tier One Insurance Company does business as Tier One Life Insurance Company (Tier One NAIC 92908).
This is a brief product overview only. Coverage may not be available in all states including but not limited to DE, ID, NJ, NH, NM, NY, or VA. Benefits/premium rates may vary based on plan selected. Optional riders are available at an additional cost. The policy has limitations and exclusions that may affect benefits payable. Refer to the policy for complete details, limitations, and exclusions. For costs and complete details of the coverage, please contact your local Aflac agent.
The content herein is provided for general informational purposes and is not provided as tax, legal, health or financial advice for any person or for any specific situation. Employers, employees and other individuals should contact their own advisers about their situations. Receipt of accelerated death benefits may affect eligibility for public assistance programs. Benefits may also be taxable, and are not expected to receive the same favorable tax treatment as other types of accelerated death benefits that may be available.
Aflac WWHQ | Tier One Insurance Company | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999
Aflac New York | 22 Corporate Woods Boulevard, Suite 2 | Albany, NY 12211
Z2400293
EXP 4/25
