LAKE COUNTY >> Covered California will hold a special-enrollment option through Nov. 15 for people who have had a change in life circumstances since the open enrollment period ended on March 31.
Covered California completed its first open enrollment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act with more than a million consumers gaining health insurance coverage, according to Roy Kennedy, public information officer of Covered California.
“We continue to remind people that we still are open for business,” Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee said.
Through Nov. 15, consumers can sign up for health insurance as long as they do so within 60 days of a qualifying life event. The following circumstances are among the common reasons that make someone eligible:
• They lose their health care coverage because they”ve lost or changed jobs.
• They lose their Medi-Cal coverage.
• They get married or enter a domestic partnership.
• They have a baby, adopt a child or place a child in adoption or in a foster home.
• They move and gain access to new Covered California health insurance plans that were not available where they previously lived.
• They become a citizen, national or lawfully present individual.
For other examples that may qualify someone for coverage through special enrollment, visit www.CoveredCA.com/coverage-basics/special-enrollment/.
People must report changes and select a plan within 60 days of the qualifying life event to purchase a Covered California health insurance plan outside of open enrollment. Medi-Cal is available all year, however, and no qualifying life event is required to enroll in Medi-Cal.
People will need to plan ahead to avoid gaps in health coverage. In general, the start date for coverage depends on the date someone enrolls. If a person enrolls by the 15th day of the month, their coverage will start on the first day of the next month. If you enroll after the 15th day of the month, coverage will start on the first day of the second month.
If a person goes without coverage for three consecutive months during the year, and they don”t fall under an exemption permitting them to do so, they will be subject to a tax penalty.
For most qualifying life events, the start date for coverage depends on the date someone enrolls, but a few exceptions are allowed in the event of a change such as getting married or losing a job with coverage.
For information, call the Covered California Service Center at (800) 300-1506.
