The last day for individuals and families to enroll in a Qualified Health Plan through NY State of Health was March 31, 2014. If you missed the deadline, you will have to wait until November 15, 2014 to enroll in a plan that will become effective on January 1, 2015, and you may have to pay a federal tax penalty. There are, however, a limited number of exceptions, called Qualifying Life Events, that allow you to enroll or make changes to your plan after March 31. To qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you must notify NY State of Health about your Qualifying Life Event within 60 days of the event. You can do so yourself by visiting nystateofhealth.ny.gov, or calling AHI at 1-866-872-3740 to make an appointment with one of our certified navigators. Enrollment for programs such as Medicaid and Child Health Plus, as well as enrollment in the Small Business Marketplace continues all year.
Below is a list of Qualifying Life Events that would make you eligible for a Special Enrollment Period:
* Loss of minimum essential coverage due to: job loss; divorce; death of a spouse; becoming ineligible for Medicaid or Child Health Plus; expiration of COBRA; or health plan decertification
* Marriage, birth, adoption, or placement for adoption
* Gaining status as a citizen, national, or lawfully present individual
* Newly eligible, or ineligible for tax credits and/or cost sharing reductions
* Permanent move to an area that has different health plan options
* Marketplace staff or contractor enrollment error
* Qualified Health Plan violated a provision in its contract
* American Indians can enroll or change plans one time per month throughout the year
* Other exceptional circumstances.
