Tag Archives: Open

How to Get Health Insurance After Open Enrollment Missing the annual Open Enrollment Period (OEP) for health insurance doesn’t mean you’re out of options

June 19, 2025   Health Insurance

Whether due to a job loss, relocation, marriage, or another qualifying life event, you may still be eligible for coverage outside the standard enrollment window. Here’s a guide to securing health insurance after Open Enrollment has ended.

1. Check If You Qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP)

A Special Enrollment Period allows you to enroll in or change your health insurance outside of the standard Open Enrollment timeframe. You may qualify for an SEP if you experience a major life event, such as:

  • Losing existing coverage:

    • (e.g., job-based insurance, Medicaid, or COBRA expiration)

  • Moving:

    • to a new ZIP code or county

  • Getting married or divorced:
  • Having or adopting a child:
  • Changes in household income:

    • affecting eligibility for subsidies

    You typically have 60 days from the qualifying event to enroll in a new plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace (Healthcare.gov or your state exchange).

    2. Explore Medicaid or CHIP

    Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provide low-cost or free coverage to eligible individuals and families. Unlike Marketplace plans, these programs accept applications year-round. Eligibility depends on income, household size, and state-specific rules.

    3. Consider Short-Term Health Insurance

    If you don’t qualify for an SEP, short-term health insurance can provide temporary coverage (usually 1–12 months, with possible renewals). These plans are often more affordable but may exclude pre-existing conditions and essential health benefits.

    4. Look Into COBRA Continuation Coverage

    If you’ve lost employer-sponsored insurance, COBRA allows you to keep the same plan for up to 18 months (sometimes longer). However, you’ll pay the full premium, including the portion your employer previously covered, which can be expensive.

    5. Check for Other Exceptions

    Some situations allow enrollment outside Open Enrollment, such as:

  • Becoming a U.S. citizen:
  • Leaving incarceration:
  • Gaining membership in a federally recognized tribe:

    • 6. Prepare for the Next Open Enrollment

    If none of the above options apply, mark your calendar for the next Open Enrollment Period (typically November 1 – January 15 in most states). In the meantime, consider alternative options like community health clinics or telehealth services for basic medical needs.

    Final Thoughts

    While missing Open Enrollment limits your options, you still have pathways to secure coverage. Review your eligibility for a Special Enrollment Period, Medicaid, or short-term plans, and act quickly if you experience a qualifying life event. For personalized assistance, consult a licensed insurance agent or visit Healthcare.gov.

    Would you like help finding specific plans in your area? Let me know—I’d be happy to guide you further!

    Read More

    Open And Honest Tips About Auto Insurance Savings (4)

    March 10, 2023   Car Insurance

    Open And Honest Tips About Auto Insurance Savings

    Every driver needs to make sure they have the proper amount of insurance coverage, but it can be hard sometimes to know exactly how much you need. You want to make sure you’re getting the best deal. The advice in this article can help you avoid wasting your money on coverage you don’t need.

    Shop for your car insurance online. Shopping online for car insurance can save you, on average, 5% to 10%. It saves you money because it saves the insurance provider money. Doing things online is just less expensive from all angles. You can even shop around and compare rates much easier.

    You may want to consider taking the superior driving test. By taking this test, car insurance companies will see that you have gone the extra mile in order to be a safe driver and will be less likely to get into an accident. This will make car insurance rates more affordable.

    You can reduce your auto insurance policy premium by dropping the collision coverage on an older car. These claims are limited to “book” value, so you’re not likely to get much if you car is over seven years old. Try dropping collision cover when your annual premium reaches ten percent of your car’s value.

    Be aware – there are certain aspects of car insurance – which each state requires car owners to have. It is important to know this because you do not want to get in trouble for not having these aspects. If you are unsure of what these requirements are, you may want to contact your auto insurance agent.

    Before you even buy a vehicle you should get a few insurance quotes so that you know what to expect. It makes no sense to go and get a vehicle and then after you purchase it you have to worry about whether you can afford the monthly insurance payments.

    Auto insurance for young drivers is very costly. You can save some money by choosing the right kind of car for your teenager to drive. If you allow your teen to drive the Mustang, prepare to pay through the roof. If, on the other hand, you restrict your teen to the most “beater”-like car you own, your premiums will be notably lower.

    To get a discount on your auto insurance, take into consideration all of your professional affiliations. Not only do many mass employers like Wal-Mart arrange blanket discounts for their employees, but many educational, charitable, social and religious organizations do too. When applying for or renewing your auto insurance, be sure to list all of your affiliations to qualify for these potential discounts.

    If you are financing your car or truck, there is a good chance that the financing company requires you to carry a certain level of coverage. Before you purchase the vehicle, check with your auto insurance provider to determine whether or not your current liability coverage meets the minimum requirements.

    Making sure that you have the best auto insurance for your situation doesn’t have to be a difficult ordeal. Once you understand some of the basics of auto insurance, it’s surprisingly easy to find a great deal on insurance. Just remember what you’ve learned from this article, and you’ll be in great shape.

    Read More

    Open And Honest Tips About Auto Insurance Savings (3)

    January 20, 2023   Insurance Quote

    Open And Honest Tips About Auto Insurance Savings

    Finding the best insurance policy with the most coverage can be difficult, but when you factor in finding the lowest premiums, it can be a nightmare! This article contains a number of tips to help you combine the two issues, coverage and cost, without adding in a major headache to the process.

    There are many types of insurance. One type is liability coverage which is when they pay if the accident is your fault. Another type is full coverage where all damages are covered. Choosing the right plan will save you a lot of money in the end, so make sure if your car is very valuable that you get a more comprehensive plan.

    If you are a man, you should be prepared to pay more for your car insurance. This is because, statistically, men are more likely to have accidents. If you are a married man, however, the agencies tend to believe you are more responsible. Make sure that you re-evaluate your policy if you change your marital status.

    Perhaps you cannot afford to pay much for your auto insurance, but remember that it is a legal requirement to have insurance in order to drive a car. If you get pulled over and cannot prove that you have auto insurance, you will get a fine. Get an extremely cheap insurance if you need to.

    Make sure to get a quote before you buy a new car. Insurance rates can vary greatly from model to model and you might be caught surprised with a very different quote after you buy the car. Treat car insurance like any other major purchase, like you would a house, for instance.

    Go directly to the websites of insurance companies such as GEICO or Allstate to get quotes for auto insurance coverage. These companies are not usually represented by the online insurance aggregator sites, but you can still request quotes online for no charge and have an estimate for auto insurance coverage in about 10 minutes.

    If you want to save even more money, check into getting all your insurance needs through the same company. Most insurance companies will offer a discount on their insurance if you have more than one policy with them, such as your homeowner’s insurance or renters’ insurance. This can reduce your rates.

    Drive smart and safe to keep your auto insurance cheap. A clean driving record makes a huge difference in the premiums insurance companies will charge you. Insurers inspect your driving history perhaps more closely than any other factor when setting your premium. Do not worry about accidents where you were not at fault; drive safely to avoid any other bad marks on your record.

    Before you shop for auto insurance, decide on how much insurance you need. Over-insuring will be a waste of your money, while under-insuring will put you at great personal financial risk if you get into an accident. You also need to consider your state requirements when you make your decision.

    As was stated at the beginning of the article, finding a policy with great coverage that is still affordable can seem like an insurmountable feat. However, when you take the advice given in the article you just read, you will find that it does not have to be such a painful process.

    Read More