What to do if you missed open enrollment

If you miss your open enrollment deadline, you could lose coverage for you and your loved ones, Missing this deadline also means that you could be unable to make changes or enroll in benefits until the next open enrollment period. If you have automatic renewal, you will automatically re-up with the same plan you had last year.

For most people, the deadline to enroll in or change a 2021 health insurance plan has passed. But you may still be able to enroll for 2021 two ways: with a Special Enrollment Period or through Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

A special enrollment period could be triggered if you are covered under someone else's plan and lose that coverage. For example, if you are covered under your spouse's plan and your spouse loses her job or you get divorced, this would trigger a special enrollment period that would allow you to enroll in your company's health plan right away.

If you experience certain types of life changes — like losing health coverage, getting married, or having a baby — you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period to enroll in a Marketplace plan for 2021.

If nothing has happened to trigger a special enrollment period, you will most likely have to wait until the next open enrollment period to sign up for health benefits or make a change to your existing benefits.

If you don't know if you are elegible for a Special Enrollment Period feel free to contact us. We are happy to help.