I’m Moving: What About Health Insurance?

Even though the Open Enrollment Period for health insurance ends in January, there is a Special Enrollment Period that allows people with a qualifying event to enroll in a new health plan or change their current health insurance coverage. Moving to another state is usually a qualifying event. Usually, you have 60 days from your move date to enroll or change coverage.

Does My Health Insurance Travel with Me?

Different health coverages have different coverage areas. Your health insurance may or may not travel with you, whether you’re vacationing or moving permanently. In many cases it won’t. Also, you may have other coverage options in a new state. You will not only have options for new plans, but you’ll be offered new prices and new savings.

How Do I Report a Move to a New State?

You’ll need to call your insurance company first. If you want to stay with that insurer, tell them about your move and ask if you can remain on the plan. Ask if there will be any changes made to the existing plan based on your new location. If you are unable to keep your existing plan, you will still want to tell them about your upcoming move to schedule a cancelation date. It’s advisable that you keep health coverage until your new one begins. If you need to buy a new health plan, you’ll need to start a new Marketplace application or start an application through your state’s website if it runs its own marketplace. You can also get matched up with the right health insurance agent in your area by visiting here.

What if I Move to Another City?

If you are staying within the same state, your health insurance plan will probably not change and neither will your coverage options and savings. You will still need to update your information with the marketplace, however. By updating your application, you are your reporting changes to the Marketplace. You can update your application in person, by phone or online.

1. Go to HealthCare.gov and go to your account. If you have trouble logging on or don’t remember your password, call the Call Center at 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325). You can always elect an agent or broker to help you do all of this by clicking here.
2. Select “continue.”
3. Click your name at the top and goto “My Applications & Coverage.”
4. Choose the item you want to update.
5. Click “Report a Life Change” on the left-hand menu.
6. Select the change you want to report from the list of changes.
7. Report all changes to income, household and address, new healthcare coverage offers and more.
8. You’ll receive new eligibility options.

How Do I Report Changes to the Marketplace?

If you are moving to a new state, you need to begin a new application. It’s important that you do this as soon as possible so that you can start your new plan with no loss in coverage.

1. Log in to your HealthCare.gov account
2. Select “continue.”
3. Select the year for which you want coverage
4. Select your new state. If you don’t see your state here, it may be that your state has its own marketplace and website. For a list of states with their own marketplace/website, visit here.
5. If you find your state on HealthCare.gov, click “Apply or Renew” to start a new application.
6. After finishing your application, you’ll get a list of plans and prices so you can complete the enrollment.
7. If you have trouble at any point in the process, the easiest way to get insured is to compare health insurance prices. It is important, however, to update your new address and information on your HealthCare.gov profile no matter where you move, so call 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325) even if you find an agent to insure you.

How Do You Cancel Your Marketplace Plan?

If you end up buying a new health insurance plan, you may no longer need your Marketplace insurance. It’s not advisable to end your Marketplace plan until you’re certain about your new health insurance coverage start date.

If you’re ending coverage for everyone on your application, you can end coverage as soon as the day you cancel or you can set the coverage date to end at a future date (i.e. the day your new coverage sets in).

If you’re ending coverage for just a few people on the application, their coverage will probably end immediately, unless those household members qualify for a special enrollment period. We suggest that you contact the Marketplace Call Center to request changes to make sure it’s done properly: 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325).

What’s a Special Enrollment Period (SEP)?

A SEP is any time outside of the Open Enrollment period when you can still sign up for health insurance. There are qualifying events that allow you to enroll even though the deadline has passed.

Some qualifying events are: having a baby, adopting a child, moving, losing health coverage or getting married. You usually have 60 days after a qualifying event to enroll, otherwise you must wait until the next Open Enrollment Period.