Is Moving Out of State a Qualifying Event?
Is your out-of-state move a qualifying event for health insurance? Get clarity on special enrollment periods and securing new coverage.
Health insurance enrollment occurs during specific periods each year, known as Open Enrollment. These windows allow individuals and families to select or modify their health coverage. Life circumstances can change, creating a need to adjust health insurance outside these standard times. Certain significant life events, recognized as “qualifying events,” provide an exception to the Open Enrollment rule, enabling individuals to enroll in or change their health plans.
Understanding Qualifying Life Events and Special Enrollment Periods
A Qualifying Life Event (QLE) is a change in your life situation that allows you to enroll in or modify a health insurance plan outside the standard annual Open Enrollment Period. This mechanism ensures individuals can maintain appropriate health coverage when significant personal changes occur. QLEs trigger a Special Enrollment Period (SEP), a specific timeframe during which you can act on your health insurance needs.
Common QLEs include getting married, the birth or adoption of a child, or losing other existing health coverage. The SEP provides a 60-day window from the date of the QLE to select a new plan.
When Moving Out of State Becomes a Qualifying Event
Moving to a new permanent residence can be a Qualifying Life Event, but only under specific conditions. The move must be to a new county or ZIP code, and it must result in new health plan options becoming available to you. Moving within the same service area of your current health plan does not qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
For a move to qualify, it must be a permanent change of residence, not a temporary relocation for medical treatment or vacation. You must also demonstrate that you had minimum essential health coverage for at least one day within the 60 days prior to your move. This applies to Marketplace Special Enrollment Periods. If your move causes you to lose eligibility for an employer-sponsored plan, or if your COBRA plan no longer covers your new geographic area, these situations can also trigger a qualifying event, allowing you to seek new coverage.
Preparing for Health Coverage Changes After a Qualifying Move
After a qualifying move, gather necessary information for new health coverage. You will need proof of your new address, which can include documents such as a utility bill, a lease agreement, mortgage papers, or official government correspondence with your new address and the date of your move. Also have information about your current health insurance plan and income details, as these are relevant for determining eligibility for potential financial assistance, such as subsidies through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Research new health plan options in your new location. Explore plans available through the Health Insurance Marketplace, consider options from a new employer, or understand if your current COBRA coverage can extend to your new area. Compare provider networks in your new area to ensure continued access to preferred doctors and facilities. The Special Enrollment Period provides a 60-day window from the date of your qualifying move to report the event and select a new plan.
Steps to Enroll in New Health Coverage After Moving
Once you have gathered information and determined your preferred health coverage option, formally enroll. For Health Insurance Marketplace plans, report your qualifying move through the HealthCare.gov website or your state’s specific marketplace portal. This can be done online by logging into your account, selecting the application you wish to update, and choosing the “Report a Life Change” option. Alternatively, you can report the event and apply for an SEP by phone.
After reporting the move, apply for the Special Enrollment Period, which may involve uploading documentation to verify your move and prior coverage. You will then select a new health plan. Upon successful submission, you will receive confirmation of your enrollment, information regarding the effective date of your new coverage, and details about making your first premium payment. If enrolling in a new employer’s plan, follow their internal enrollment procedures, typically coordinated through their human resources department.