Here’s an updated list of the CV19-specific Special Enrollment Period (SEP) deadlines for all 13 state-based ACA exchanges (12 are offering official CV19 SEPs; Idaho is a special case which I’ll explain below).
Pay attention to the revised deadlines...several of them have been recently extended (in the case of Vermont, it’s actually sooner than I thought by a few days).
Both Connecticut and Vermont’s CV19 SEPs are scheduled to expire this Friday. It’s possible that one or both will bump their deadlines out further, but I can’t guarantee that so uninsured residents of either state should #GetCovered today!
SUMMARY OF #COVID-19 SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIODS:
IDAHO: Unfortunately, Idaho has not launched an official CV19 SEP, but they’re waiving the documentation/verification requirement for those who’ve lost coverage due to losing their jobs. This is much better for people in that situation, but it still means that those who chose not to enroll during the Open Enrollment Period itself are still pretty much SOL unless they qualify for Medicaid expansion.
ALL OTHER STATES: You qualify for a 60-day SEP if you've recently lost (or will soon lose) your employer-based healthcare coverage, or if you've experienced other Qualifying Life Events (QLE) such as getting married/divorced, moving, giving birth/adopting a child, getting out of prison, turning 26 etc.
However, in HCgov states, for these SEPs you’ll have to provide documentation to verify your QLE. Visit HealthCare.Gov or your state's ACA exchange website for details on the process.
In addition, as noted in the graphic above:
- If you’re in any of the 36 states + DC which have expanded Medicaid and you earn up to 138% FPL (210% FPL in DC), you can enroll year-round.
- If you’re a member of a federally-recognized Native American tribe or an Alaska Native, you can also enroll year-round.
- If you live in Massachusetts, Minnesota or New York and you earn up to 300% FPL, 200% FPL or 200% FPL respectively, you can enroll in ConnectorCare, MinnesotaCare or the Essential Plan year-round.
Here’s a table with the income ranges for all three programs (below 138% you qualify for Medicaid in all three states):
NOTE: Since June 2019, I’ve been contracted to do occasional healthcare data analysis & advocacy for the Center for American Progress.
