The New Special Enrollment Period due to COVID-19: Everything you Need to Know
The Biden-Harris administration has recently announced a new Special Enrollment Period (SEP) where all eligible residents can sign up for health coverage from February 15 to August 15—and they don’t need a Qualifying Life Event to do so. We’ll explain the details and how to sign up.
How does this new Special Enrollment Period work?
Usually, consumers can apply for a plan at two times of the year:
- During the annual Open Enrollment Period, generally 11/1-12/15
- During the Special Enrollment Period, 12/16 – 10/31, where consumers typically need a Qualifying Life Event such as losing their employer coverage, having a child, or moving in order to enroll in a Marketplace plan.
During this new Special Enrollment Period, anyone can enroll in a Marketplace health plan (aka an Obamacare plan or Affordable Care Act plan), without a Qualifying Life event. If you missed the last Open Enrollment Period, you now have a second chance to get coverage.
Consumers will not need to provide any documentation (e.g., loss of a coverage through a job, birth of a child, etc.), which is typically required for eligibility outside of the annual Open Enrollment Period.
When is the Special Enrollment Period?
In the 36 states that use the Federal Marketplace, it runs from February 15, 2021 – August 15, 2021.
The states that operate their own exchanges will have separate enrollment dates. Here are the states who have announced enrollment dates so far:
- California: February 1st to December 31st**
- Colorado: February 8th to August 15th**
- Connecticut: February 15 to August 15th
- District of Columbia (DC): February 15th on indefinitely
- Idaho: March 1st to April 30th
- Maryland: Now through August 15th*
- Massachusetts: Now through July 23rd
- Minnesota: February 16th through July 16th
- Nevada: February 15 to August 15th*
- New Jersey: Now through December 31st*
- New York: Now through December 31st**
- Pennsylvania: February 15th through August 15th
- Rhode Island: Now through August 15th*
- Vermont: February 16th to October 1st*
- Washington: February 15th to August 15th**
* These states are only allowing uninsured people to enroll without a qualifying life change
**These states are only allowing uninsured or unsubsidized people to enroll without a qualifying life change.
How do I enroll?
You can see plans and prices and start your application by entering your zip code below, going to healthsherpa.com, or calling (872) 228-2549 to enroll over the phone.
Why is this Special Enrollment Period happening?
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) determined that the COVID-19 emergency presents exceptional circumstances for consumers in accessing health insurance. Because of this emergency, they’re providing a Special Enrollment Period for individuals and families to apply and enroll in the coverage they need.
This is amazing! Thank you for letting me know. I had tears in my face while reading this! Thank you for the update!
Glad to hear it! You can enroll through us at healthsherpa.com or call us at (872) 228-2549 anytime after feb 15th.
Does this include dental and if so how much is this a month. I’m on mediciad but need dental insurance on top of my mediciad dental.
You can sign up for dental separately. Give us a call.
My mom thought she had her prescription plan set up for automatic pay every month until she had to pick up her medicine. She found out that they cancelled her policy for her medicines would she be able to sign up for a prescription plan at this time we live in Ohio and she gets Medicaid
You’ll have to reach out to the Ohio Medicaid office
Can I switch into another Medicare Part D program during the new Open Enrollment period? I live in Wisconsin and have been on Original Medicare only since 1/1/2021. I don’t like the Part D plan that I signed up for at that time.
No, unfortunately you can only do so during Medicare Open Enrollment, which runs from 10/15 to 12/7
annual income between 18,000 20,000
yes
Will anyone who currently HAS a plan be able to change companies?
Yes, it basically functions like an Open Enrollment Period. People will be able to change plans in all states that use the federal marketplace and most other states. NY and MD are only allowing uninsured people to enroll.
I can’t afford insurance. What are my options?
Have you checked to see if you can get subsidies to make insurance affordable? Go to healthsherpa.com and put in your location, household size, and income to see how much financial help you qualify for.
I am looking for coverage for myself only, my family members have their own insurance.
I also travel a lot for work and need coverage if something were to happen outside of the state of Florida.
After the enrollment period opens on February 15th, give us a call at (872) 228-2549 or go to healthsherpa.com to see available plans.
We make to much to qualify for ObamaCare; Can we still enroll for health insurance?
Yes, anyone can enroll in an Obamacare plan, whether or not you qualify for subsidies. Go to healthsherpa.com to see plans and prices.
How does this affect SHOP enrollment?
Si alguien se inscribe el 15 de Febrero, cuando entrara en vigencia su cobertura?
El 1 de Marzo
Si alguien se inscribe el 15 de Febrero, cuando comienza su cobertura?
El 1 de Marzo
How do I find out which states have PPO on the exchange?
You can go to healthsherpa.com to see plans and prices by zip code.
Can a person currently not enrolled in the exchange apply for dental during this special enrollment period?
Yes, you can actually enroll in dental year-round
If I miss the CT special enrollment deadline of 3/15/21, can I still enroll with Healthsherpa until 5/15/21 via the Federal Marketplace?
No, you have to enroll by 3/15 in CT because CT does not participate in the federal marketplace.
Does Texas qualify for the special enrollment period from 02/15 – 08/15? As in, I can apply still for health coverage today as of 03/28/2021?
Yes! You can still apply. But there are new subsidies that will be released on April 1st, so I recommend you apply April 1st so you get the lowest premiums possible.
cuales son los requisitos para inscribirme
Vaya a healthsherpa.com
Hay que tener algun ingreso?
Llamanos a (872) 228-2549
What if I have State insurance for women, can I still enroll? The state insurance has very minimal coverage and I need more.
Can you clarify what state insurance for women is? Do you mean Medicaid?
What if you are in a state like NC that doesn’t allow Medicaid for non disabled adults and didn’t accept Obamacare funding across the board? Will this new Biden plan cover them? I have a friend who needs health insurance but does not have children and was told he doesn’t qualify because he’s not disabled.
The American Rescue Plan does not fix the Medicaid gap, but we do recommend that your friend go to healthsherpa.com and see if they qualify for subsidies. The American Rescue Plan expanded subsidies for those who make above the federal poverty line.
They have to be us citizens in order to apply
That’s not true – lawfully present immigrants can qualify for Marketplace subsidies and Medicaid.
If I am already enrolled with HUMANA, can I switch if if yours is a better plan?
Yes, you can switch plans until August 15th in most states.
What is the salary cap?
There’s no cap, whether you get a subsidy depends on your income and family size. Go to healthsherpa.com or call us at (872) 228-2549 to see how much of a subsidy you would get. Most people are able to get a plan for less than $10/month.