Can I drop my spouse from insurance during open enrollment?

Asked by: Mireya Bins  |  Last update: June 13, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (37 votes)

You'll have to wait until the next open enrollment period. That goes for both employer-sponsored health insurance and Affordable Care Act marketplace plans. You can only drop a spouse from your health insurance plan during your open enrollment period or if you are experiencing a qualifying event.

Can I remove my spouse from health insurance during open enrollment?

The removal from the health plan must happen within 30 days from the date of the qualifying event. Otherwise, you'll have to wait for the next open enrollment period to make any changes. The annual enrollment periods often occur between mid-october till mid-december. Employers usually have it in the fall or winter.

Can you remove a domestic partner from health insurance at any time?

Please keep in mind that you can add/remove your partner; however, you cannot change the health, dental or vision plans in which you are enrolled. Regardless of the date your partner was added or dropped, you are financially responsible for the entire month of insurance premiums.

Can you drop dependents from health insurance at any time?

A: You may remove family members from your plan at any time. Generally, this happens when they obtain coverage from another source.

How do you remove someone from your health insurance?

Family Member Type: Spouse

A spouse may be removed from a Self Plus One or Self and Family enrollment if a request is submitted to the enrollee's agency for approval. The request must include a Health Benefits Election Form (Standard Form (SF) 2809) and a notarized statement signed by both the enrollee and the spouse.

Do I Need Medicare If I'm On My Spouse's Employer Health Plan?

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What happens when you remove someone from your insurance?

Excluding them means the insurance company is no longer considering their driving history on your policy. If an excluded driver or one you have removed from your policy gets into an accident with your vehicle, your policy may not cover the incident.

Can a dependent remove themselves from health insurance?

Most states allow you to stay on your parents' health plan until you turn 26 years old, though there are a few states that offer extensions under certain circumstances. You can choose to get your own health insurance before you turn 26, or your parent might remove you from their plan before then.

Is spouse open enrollment a qualifying event?

A qualifying event for insurance is a change in life situation that makes a person eligible to enroll in health insurance outside of the annual Open Enrollment Period. Marriage, divorce, and parenthood are all common examples of major events that affect a person's health insurance needs.

Can I remove my child from my insurance at any time?

You can typically remove your child from health coverage if they just got health insurance and you make the change within a special enrollment period. However, if you miss the special enrollment period, you'll have to keep your child on your health plan until the next open enrollment period.

What is the difference between a PPO and a HMO?

HMOs (health maintenance organizations) are typically cheaper than PPOs, but they tend to have smaller networks. You need to see your primary care physician before getting a referral to a specialist. PPOs (preferred provider organizations) are usually more expensive.

Can I get separate health insurance from my husband?

Can married couples have separate health insurance? Spouses do not have to be on the same plan, which means that if you both have individual plans that you love, there is no reason to lose that coverage. However, you also have the option to be on the same plan, which may be a more economical choice for some couples.

What happens if you break up with a domestic partner?

The domestic partnership will terminate automatically six months after the date the Notice of Termination of Domestic Partnership is filed with the California Secretary of State, as long as neither partner revokes (cancels) the termination before the end of the six-month period.

What is the difference between a domestic partner and a spouse?

There are a few major differences between domestic partnership and marriage. Unlike married couples, domestic partners can't legally claim each other as “family.” This means they may not be able to claim the same familial rights as married couples, including the ability to adopt, depending on the state.

What is the working spouse rule?

The Plan's Working Spouse Rule states that, if your spouse is working for an employer who offers a health plan, the Plan requires them to enroll in that employer-sponsored coverage to be eligible for Plan coverage. Your spouse must confirm whether they have access to and are enrolled in their employer's health plan.

Can legally separated spouse stay on health insurance?

Legal separation in California can be a strategic option for couples who want to maintain health insurance coverage while living apart. Unlike divorce, legal separation allows spouses to stay legally married, which means the dependent spouse can often remain on the other's health insurance plan.

Is separation a qualifying life event?

Getting married, divorced or legally separated are all considered qualifying life events. In each situation, the size of your household is changing, and coverage must be adjusted to reflect that change.

Can I drop my 17 year old from my health insurance?

You can stay on a parent's plan until you turn 26

Once you're on a parent's job-based plan, in most cases you can stay on it until you turn 26. Generally, you can join a parent's plan and stay on until you turn 26 even if you: Get married.

What is the working spouse rule for Blue Cross Blue Shield?

The Working Spouse Rule states that a spouse must enroll in their employer's health plan. The rule applies if the spouse works for an employer who offers a health plan, and the employer pays at least 50% of the total premium for single coverage.

Can I drop my spouse from my health insurance during open enrollment?

Generally, you can only drop your spouse from your health insurance if there is an open enrollment period or you're experiencing a qualifying event, such as getting divorced or buying a new health insurance plan. You'll get 30 days from the day of the qualifying event to remove your spouse from your health coverage.

What is an example of a life-changing event?

Family changes that count as qualifying life events include: Getting married. Bringing children into the family with the birth of a baby, adoption or foster care. Divorce.

What does qualifying spouse mean?

Qualifying Surviving Spouse Filing Status

Taxpayers who do not remarry in the year their spouse dies can file jointly with the deceased spouse. For the two years following the year of death, the surviving spouse may be able to use the Qualifying Surviving Spouse filing status.

Can you cancel dependent health insurance at any time?

Here are the general rules: You can cancel your plan anytime if you purchased self-only or family coverage on the individual health insurance market.

At what age are you no longer a dependent for health insurance?

The Affordable Care Act requires plans and issuers that offer dependent child coverage to make the coverage available until a child reaches the age of 26. Both married and unmarried children qualify for this coverage. This rule applies to all plans in the individual market and to all employer plans.

Is Turning 26 a qualifying life event?

Turning 26 is a milestone birthday when it comes to health insurance because you're no longer eligible to stay on your parents' health plan. However, turning 26 is considered a qualifying life event—which makes you eligible (qualifies you) to buy health insurance during a special enrollment period.