Open Enrollment ended on December 15th. Most people need to wait until next year’s Open Enrollment period to change health insurance or to enroll in a different plan. However, there are still a couple of ways that you can still get health insurance coverage:

• Through a special enrollment period due to a qualifying life event
• Under a short term medical plan
• Through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

You can purchase dental or vision plans outside of open enrollment.

Special Enrollment Periods & Qualifying Life Events

Certain life events qualify you for a special enrollment period. This is a period (usually 60 days) during which you can buy a health plan even if it is outside of the Open Enrollment period. Qualifying life events include:

• Losing your health coverage through a life event
  • Examples of these life events include: getting a divorce, losing your job, losing your Medicaid or CHIP eligibility, or expiring COBRA coverage
  • Please note: If you voluntarily quit your health plan or are terminated because you didn’t pay your premiums, you are not eligible for a special enrollment period.
• Getting married
• Having or adopting a child
• Permanently moving somewhere with different health insurance options
• Ageing off your parent’s health insurance plan.
• Having a change in income or household status that changes your eligibility for tax credits or cost-sharing reductions
• Your plan being involuntarily canceled by your insurance company.

During the special enrollment period you can shop for insurance through the exchange. You’ll have the same plan options as you would during Open Enrollment. Be sure to purchase coverage during this period, otherwise you will not be able to shop the Exchange until Open Enrollment next year.

Enrolling in a Short Term Medical Plan

If you don’t qualify for Medicaid, CHIP or a special enrollment period, you might consider a short term health plan. Some important things to consider before purchasing such a plan:

• Short term plans do not meet the Affordable Care Act’s requirements for minimum essential coverage.
• They do not commonly cover pre-existing conditions, and premiums can be based on your medical history.
• These plans are not guaranteed issue, so your application can be turned down.
• Regulations limit short term plans to three months in duration.
• They’re not available in every state.

Despite some of these considerations, you still may want the security of having health coverage and provide protection from catastrophic and unexpected healthcare emergencies. These plans are worth researching carefully if you are otherwise unable to buy coverage.

Getting Covered Under Medicaid/CHIP

Costs, coverage and other particulars vary from state to state, but all states have Medicaid programs to provide coverage to a variety of people, including those who have a lower income, people with disabilities, the elderly, pregnant women, families and children. CHIP was created to cover children in families that do no meet Medicaid requirements. In some states, pregnant women can also be covered by CHIP. Because Medicaid and CHIP vary by state, you should contact your states Medicaid agency to get more information and see if you qualify.

If you missed Open Enrollment, you may not be able to get coverage until next year. However, after reading this article hopefully you have found some new information that will allow you to get some type of coverage. While there is no longer a financial penalty for not having health insurance coverage, it is important to consider what your medical costs could be without insurance. Visit the healthcare.gov website for more information.