Open Enrollment Navigation Aid
The Affordable Health Care Act allows U.S. citizens to change health care coverage from Nov. 1st until Jan. 15th of the current year even if you have not experienced a “qualifying event.” This is known as OPEN ENROLLMENT. Changing your health insurance during open enrollment will allow your new insurance selections to start on Jan. 1 of the following year.
Cattle Raisers Insurance developed this decision chart to help you navigate the common questions about open enrollment:
Cattle Raisers Insurance staff can help you review your options at any time of the year. However, if you have not experienced a qualifying event, the only time you may change your upcoming year’s health care coverage is from Nov. 1, to Jan. 15 of the current year.
We encourage you to contact us on Nov. 1st or after so we can help you review the plan options and help you make the earliest possible change.
Only if you experience a qualifying event will the Affordable Care Act allow you to make any changes to your health care insurance plan after Jan. 15.
Qualifying Events
This is a list of life events listed in the Affordable Care Act that are called qualifying events. If you have experienced any of these events, then you are allowed a 60-day window after the event to change your health care plan any time of the year.
- I gained a dependent due to marriage
- I gained a dependent due to birth, adoption, or placement for adoption
- I am no longer eligible as a dependent under my prior health insurance due to reaching the maximum age, legal separation, divorce or death of policyholder
- I am no longer eligible for my prior health insurance plan due to termination of employment, reduction in number of hours of employment, loss of employer contribution toward my premiums, or I have exhausted my COBRA benefits
- I gained access to new health plan options because of a permanent move
- I am newly ineligible for payments of the advance premium tax credit
- I am no longer residing or living in my prior health insurance plan’s HMO service area
- An error occurred in my previous health plan enrollment
- I have adequately demonstrated that my previous health plan or issuer substantially violated a material provision of its contract with me
- I and/or my dependent(s) lost minimum essential coverage (due to reasons other than non-payment of premium or rescission)
- Other qualifying event (as required or permitted by applicable laws)