Jane Dotson
There are a few ways to change your Aetna insurance plan. Firstly, if you have health benefits through your employer, you can change your plan during open enrollment, which usually takes place in the fall. You can also change your plan if you experience a qualifying life event, such as getting married, having a baby, moving, losing your job, or switching jobs. In these cases, you can change your plan during a special enrollment period, which typically lasts 30 to 60 days. Additionally, if you have an Aetna plan through your employer, you can inform them of any name or address changes, and they will update your information.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When can I change my plan? | Typically, you sign up for a new health plan during open enrollment. But you may also change your plan under special circumstances called "qualifying life events". |
| What are "qualifying life events"? | Marriage/domestic partnership, divorce or separation, birth or adoption of a child, loss of previous coverage, moving, getting a divorce or legal separation, giving birth or adopting a child, losing your health coverage because your spouse or domestic partner lost their job, losing your health coverage because your spouse or domestic partner died, aging out of your parents' plan, losing existing health coverage (including job-based, individual, and student plans), losing eligibility for Medicare, Medicaid, or CHIP, moving to a different ZIP code or county, a student moving to or from the place they attend school, a seasonal worker moving to or from the place they live and work, moving to or from a shelter or other transitional housing. |
| How do I change my plan? | You can change your plan if you’re still in open enrollment or if you have a qualifying life event. |
| How do I report a name or address change to my health plan? | If you have an Aetna plan through your employer: Let your employer know your name or address has changed. Your employer will send this update to Aetna. If you have a plan that you purchased directly from Aetna (not through an employer): Log in to send your updated name and address through the “Contact Us” feature. Or call Member Services at the number on your ID card. If you have an exchange plan: If you purchased your plan on the Health Insurance Marketplace®, contact the plan directly to update your name and address. |
What You'll Learn
Adding/removing family members from your plan
Adding or removing family members from your Aetna health plan can be done during the annual Open Enrollment Period. To do so, you'll need to contact your employer.
Outside of the Open Enrollment Period, you can typically change your coverage within 30 to 60 days of a qualifying life event. These include:
- Marriage or divorce
- Birth or adoption of a child
- Death of your spouse or dependent
- Start or end of your spouse's employment
- Change from full-time to part-time employment for you or your spouse
- Unpaid leave of absence for you or your spouse
- Major change in your coverage, or your spouse's coverage (when caused by your spouse's employment)
If you have a qualifying life event, you can make updates to your benefits coverage by submitting proof of the event within 30 days.
The Mystery of Insurance-Only Billing: Unraveling the Complexities of Healthcare Reimbursement
You may want to see also
Changing your primary care physician
You can change your PCP whenever you want and your new PCP will take effect on the first day of the month following your request.
When choosing a new PCP, it's important to find someone you're comfortable with. You might want to consider the following:
- Does the doctor accept my health care plan?
- How far is the office from my home or workplace?
- What is the doctor's hospital affiliation?
- What is the typical wait time for an appointment?
- Is the doctor available on weekends in case of an emergency?
- How easy is it to reach the PCP? Can you reach them via email?
- What do colleagues and patients say about the PCP? Check the internet for reviews.
- Do your friends, neighbours or relatives have recommendations?
Understanding Insurance Billing for Procedure 92065: A Comprehensive Guide
You may want to see also
Losing your job or changing jobs
- Find out if you can stay on your employer's health plan for a period of time through the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA).
- Understand your rights. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) makes it easier for people to change jobs without losing health coverage.
- Buy an insurance plan on your own.
- Join a government program, such as Medicaid.
If you are losing your job, you may be eligible to continue your group health plan coverage on a temporary basis if your employer is subject to federal COBRA. This coverage is only available when coverage is lost due to specific events. Contact your employer to find out more.
If you are changing jobs, you can typically sign up for a new health plan during open enrollment. This usually takes place in the fall. You can also change your plan under special circumstances called qualifying life events. These include:
- Losing your job or switching your job
- Getting married, divorced, or legally separated
- Having a baby or adopting a child
- Losing your health coverage because your spouse or domestic partner lost their job or passed away
- Moving to a different ZIP code or county
- Losing eligibility for Medicare, Medicaid, or CHIP
To make changes to your health plan, you must be experiencing a qualifying life event. If you are unsure whether an event qualifies, visit Healthcare.gov or contact your current or future health plan sponsors (such as your employer) for more specific information.
The Intricacies of Excess: Unraveling the Concept of Excess in Insurance Policies
You may want to see also
Losing your health coverage
If you lose your health insurance, you can:
- Enroll in a plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
- Sign up for COBRA coverage.
- Join a government program, such as Medicaid.
- Buy an insurance plan on your own.
Enrolling in a plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace
If you lose your job-based health insurance, you can enroll in a Marketplace plan. You will qualify for a Special Enrollment Period to enroll to get coverage for the rest of the year. You need to apply for Marketplace coverage within 60 days of losing your job-based coverage. Your coverage can start the first day of the month after you lose your job-based coverage.
COBRA coverage
You may be able to keep your job-based health plan through COBRA continuation coverage. COBRA coverage lets you pay to stay on your job-based health insurance for a limited time after your job ends (usually 18 months). You usually pay the full premium yourself, plus a small administrative fee.
Join a government program, such as Medicaid
Medicaid, a joint federal and state program for low-income U.S. citizens, is the nation's largest health insurer. It offers enrollees insurance that is, on most measures, as good as (and sometimes better than) private coverage.
Buy an insurance plan on your own
You can buy a health plan on your own.
Address Adjustment: Unraveling the Link Between Relocation and Insurance Rates
You may want to see also
Moving to a new address
Firstly, it is important to note that changing your address with Aetna is considered a "qualifying life event," which means you can make updates to your benefits coverage. To do this, you must notify Aetna as soon as possible. If you have an Aetna plan through your employer, inform your employer about your change of address, and they will send the update to Aetna. Alternatively, if you purchased your plan directly from Aetna, you can log in to your member website and use the "Contact Us" feature to update your address. You can also call Member Services at the number on your ID card.
It is worth noting that not every change in residence is considered a qualifying life event. However, if your move takes you outside your plan's service area, it qualifies, and you will need to enroll in a new plan.
If you receive Aetna Medicare coverage through an employer, union, or retiree plan, you may need to contact your benefits administrator to update your address.
In addition to updating your address, you may also need to change your primary care physician (PCP) if you are moving out of their service area. You can do this by logging into your member website or calling the toll-free Member Services number on your ID card.
Finally, remember that you have a limited time frame to make changes to your health plan after a qualifying life event. Typically, the "special enrollment period" lasts 30 to 60 days, depending on your plan.
Maximizing Medical Billing Efficiency: Navigating Secondary Insurance with Medisoft
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
You can change your plan during the annual Open Enrollment Period, or during a special enrollment period granted for certain situations. These situations include moving out of your plan's service area, losing other creditable prescription drug coverage, or living in a long-term care facility.
The Open Enrollment Period typically occurs in the fall. For Medicare Advantage (Part C) or prescription drug (Part D) plans, the Open Enrollment Period is from October 15 through December 7 each year.
You may qualify for a special enrollment period if you have experienced a "qualifying life event." This includes situations such as marriage or divorce, the birth or adoption of a child, losing existing health coverage, or a change of residence.
To change your PCP, log in to your member website and search for a new PCP by ZIP code, language spoken, and other preferences. You can also call the toll-free Member Services number on your ID card, and they will help you change your PCP.
Visit the Aetna Find a Doctor site to see if your provider accepts your Aetna insurance plan.
