Navigating The Path To Changing Your Marketplace Insurance

If you're looking to change your marketplace insurance, you'll need to know about the Open Enrollment Period, which runs from November 1 to January 15. During this time, you can renew, change, or update your plan. If you miss this window, you can still make changes during a Special Enrollment Period, which is triggered by certain life events, such as moving, getting married, or having a baby. It's important to act promptly when qualifying for a Special Enrollment Period, as you typically have 60 days to make changes. To change your plan, you'll need to update your application online, by phone, or in person. Remember, keeping your insurance coverage up-to-date ensures you're protected when unexpected life events occur.

Cancelling your marketplace insurance plan

There are several reasons why you may want to cancel your marketplace insurance plan. These include:

• You've changed jobs or gotten laid off, and your income situation has changed.
• You now qualify for Medicare, as you've turned 65.
• You're facing high costs with your current marketplace plan.
• You've lost a loved one who was covered under a marketplace plan.
• You've moved to a different state.

Before you cancel your marketplace insurance plan, it's important to prepare a few things. You'll need your marketplace login information, and you'll need to know the date you'd like to cancel your coverage. In most cases, you'll need to give 30 days' notice.

Log into your online portal

The easiest way to cancel your marketplace insurance plan is through the online portal. If you've purchased your plan through an online marketplace like Healthcare.gov, log into your active marketplace account and go to your plan information page. There should be an option to end or terminate coverage. Enter the date you wish to cancel your coverage, and follow any final instructions.

Contact your provider by phone

You can cancel federal coverage by calling the ACA help centre and confirming your identity, or by calling the number on the back of your insurance card. If you purchased a healthcare marketplace plan from a private insurer, you'll need to follow their instructions, which usually involve calling them by phone and submitting a form.

Talk to your employer

If your marketplace plan is through your employer, contact HR. There is usually a colleague or third party who specifically handles employee benefits.

Contact the Marketplace Call Center

You can cancel Marketplace coverage for all household members by calling the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325).

Report a life change

If you have a family policy and want to remove one person from the policy but keep coverage for others, log in to your Marketplace account, select the "Report a life change" option, and enter the required information.

It's important to remember that once you cancel your marketplace insurance plan, you might have to wait for the next Open Enrollment Period to enrol again, unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

Changing plans during the yearly period

Changing plans during the yearly open enrollment period is a great opportunity to update your current health insurance plan to ensure it still fits your family's needs. The yearly open enrollment period typically runs from November 1 to January 15, but the exact dates may vary depending on your state. During this time, you can renew your existing plan or shop for a new one. It's important to update your expected income and household information for the new year so you can get the correct amount of savings.

If you have marketplace coverage, you can change your plan during the open enrollment period. You can also update your plan outside of this period if you experience certain qualifying life events, such as getting married, having a baby, moving to a new area, or changes to your employment. These qualifying life events trigger a Special Enrollment Period, which allows you to change your plan outside of the yearly open enrollment period.

During the Special Enrollment Period, you may have a limited number of health plan categories to choose from. You may need to select a new plan within the same category as your current plan, but it is possible to change plan categories under certain circumstances. For example, if you become eligible for extra savings ("cost-sharing reductions"), you must enroll in a Silver plan to take advantage of the discount.

It's important to note that you usually have 60 days from the qualifying life event to enroll in a new plan, but you should report your change as soon as possible. To change your plan, you will need to update your application and review your Eligibility Results.

Additionally, if you move to a different state, you will need to start a new Marketplace application and enroll in a plan in your new state. This is because each state has different plans and prices available.

Remember that changing plans during the yearly open enrollment period or during a Special Enrollment Period triggered by a qualifying life event allows you to ensure your health insurance plan meets your current needs and circumstances.

Qualifying for a Special Enrollment Period

To qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you must have experienced certain life events. These include:

• Losing health coverage
• Moving to a new home in a new zip code or county, a different state, or the U.S. from a foreign country or U.S. territory
• Getting married
• Having or adopting a baby
• Death of someone on your Marketplace plan
• Gaining a dependent or becoming a dependent
• Divorce or legal separation
• Becoming a U.S. citizen
• Income or circumstance changes that affect your eligibility for subsidies or CSR
• Gaining access to a QSEHRA or Individual Coverage HRA
• An error or problem with enrollment
• An employer-sponsored plan becoming unaffordable or inadequate
• Exceptional circumstances, such as natural disasters or house fires

You usually have 60 days before or after the event to enroll in a new plan, but you should report your change as soon as possible. You may be asked to provide documents confirming your eligibility for a Special Enrollment Period.

Updating your application

Update your application online:

• Log in to your HealthCare.gov account.
• Choose the application you want to update.
• Click "Report a Life Change" on the left-hand menu.
• Read through the list of changes, and click "Report a Life Change" to get started.
• Select the kind of change you want to report.
• Navigate through your application and report any changes to your income, household members, or address; new health coverage offers; and other information.
• After you’re done, you’ll get new eligibility results explaining your options to change plans.
• Complete all steps on your To-Do List, including, if you’re given the option, completing your enrollment.

Update your application by phone:

Contact the Marketplace Call Center and a representative will help you update your application.

Update your application with in-person help:

Find someone in your community who can work with you to make changes to your application.

If you have moved to a new address:

If you have moved to a new address in the same state, update your application to report your change of address. Your coverage options and savings probably won’t change based on your new address, but you will be notified if you need to pick a new plan. No matter where you move, you should also update your HealthCare.gov profile with your new address.

If you have moved to a different state:

When you move to a different state, you cannot keep your plan. Report moves out of state immediately so you can enroll in a new plan without a break in coverage. When you move out of state, you’ll need to start a new Marketplace application and enroll in a plan in your new state.

Changing plans after moving

Determine Your New Address and Update Your Information:

• If you are moving within the same state, update your application to report your change of address. Your coverage options and savings may not change, but it is essential to confirm if you need to pick a new plan.
• If you are moving to a different state, it is crucial to report the move immediately. You will need to start a new Marketplace application and enroll in a plan in your new state. Visit the official website or contact their support to guide you through the process.
• Regardless of your move, it is important to update your profile with your new address. Log in to your Marketplace account, select your name, and edit your address details.

Understand the Timing of Your Move:

• The yearly open enrollment period for Marketplace health insurance plans typically runs from November 1 to January 15. During this period, you can renew, change, or update your plan.
• Outside of the open enrollment period, you can still make changes if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. This period is triggered by certain life events, such as losing health coverage, moving, getting married, having a baby, adopting a child, or experiencing a change in your household income.
• You usually have 60 days from the life event to enroll in a new plan, but it is recommended to report the change as soon as possible.

Review Your Plan Options:

• Once you have determined your eligibility for a Special Enrollment Period, you can explore different plan options. There are typically four levels of plans in the Health Insurance Marketplace: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. These categories, also known as "metal levels," are based on how costs are shared between you and your insurance plan.
• When choosing a new plan, consider your expected income and household information for the new year. Update this information on your application to ensure you receive the correct amount of savings.
• Compare available plans and decide whether to renew your current plan or enroll in a different one that better meets your needs.

Complete the Necessary Paperwork:

• To change your plan, you will need to update your application. You can do this online, by phone, or in person. Log in to your HealthCare.gov account, choose the application you want to update, and report the life change.
• Provide details about the type of change, such as your new address, income adjustments, household members, or other relevant information.
• After updating your application, review your Eligibility Results to determine if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
• If you qualify, proceed to shop for plans and enroll in the one that best suits your needs. Remember to complete all the steps in your To-Do List for the changes to take effect.

By following these steps, you can effectively change your marketplace insurance plan after moving. Remember to stay organized and allow yourself enough time to navigate the process, especially if you are transitioning to a different state.

Frequently asked questions