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Missed The Teadline? You Can Still Get Health Insurance

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With the Open Enrollment period to sign up for a policy that is much shorter than in the past, it’s likely that many people have been unaware of the change and have missed their chance to enroll in an insurance policy.

Instead of risking going without insurance, here are a few alternatives to get some form of coverage

  1. Special Enrollment

If you’ve recently experienced a major life event, you may be able to enroll in a plan outside of the Open Enrollment period. You can qualify for Special Enrollment if

  • You got married.
  • You had a baby or adopted.
  • You divorced or separated from your spouse.
  • You moved to a new home in a different ZIP code.
  • You lost your job, by resigning or being let go.

These life events must occur within the last 60 days for you to be eligible. If you do qualify, you can complete a questionnaire and choose a plan through the Special Enrollment section.

  1. Your Parents’ Insurance

If you are under 26, your parents may be able to add you to their insurance policies. Keep in mind though, that adding you to their plan will cause your parents’ insurance premiums to increase. Make sure that you and your parents are comfortable with the cost and discuss who will be responsible for the additional fees.

  1. A part-time job

A part-time job at some companies, including big names like Starbucks, Whole Foods, and Lowe’s, offers comprehensive insurance benefits to part-time employees.

An added bonus, your earnings from your part-time job can cover your share of health care costs and help to bulk up your savings.

  1. State and federal programs

All states offer Medicaid programs, but the rules can vary from state to state. Medicaid is designed for individuals with a low-income, who are disabled, elderly, or pregnant. Children also qualify. If you have children and they aren’t eligible for Medicaid, you could get insurance through the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

  1. A short-term insurance plan

If you don’t qualify for other types of health insurance, consider enrolling in a short-term plan. Short-term plans, offered by private insurance companies provide coverage in emergency situations or catastrophic events. Though not as ideal as having a regular health insurance policy, a short-term plan can be an important safeguard in a pinch.