Can I get insurance without a qualifying life event?

Asked by: Mr. Ashton Kerluke  |  Last update: July 28, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (71 votes)

For people who didn't enroll in coverage during open enrollment, aren't eligible for employer-sponsored coverage or Medicaid/CHIP, or don't experience a qualifying life event, the options for coverage are limited to policies that are not regulated by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and are thus not considered minimum ...

Can I drop my health insurance without a qualifying event?

If you wish to cancel an employer plan outside of the company's open enrollment, it would require a qualifying life event. Under Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code, if you make a decision to drop without a QLE, then you and your employer will incur tax penalties.

What is not a qualifying life event?

Is Changing Jobs a Qualifying Life Event? No, changing jobs within an organization is not a qualifying life event. Your employer-based coverage will remain the same until you have the opportunity to make changes during the open enrollment period.

How do you prove qualifying life events?

Required Documents to Prove a QLE
  1. Marriage license for marriage.
  2. Divorce papers for divorce.
  3. Birth certificate for the birth of a child.
  4. Adoption papers for adoption.
  5. Death certificate for a change in household due to death.
  6. Written job offer for employment-related moves.

What is the 90 day rule for health insurance?

90-day Waiting Period Limitation. PHS Act section 2708 provides that a group health plan or health insurance issuer offering group health insurance coverage shall not apply any waiting period that exceeds 90 days.

How To Get Health Insurance Without A Qualifying Event

32 related questions found

Can I buy health insurance and use it immediately?

Many, but not all, short term health insurance plans can take effect the day after your application is received.

Which health insurance company denies the most claims?

According to the analysis, AvMed and UnitedHealthcare tied for the highest denial rate, with both companies denying about a third of in-network claims for plans sold on the Marketplace in 2023, respectively.

What are examples of a qualifying event?

Qualifying Life Events
  • Gaining a dependent or becoming a dependent through birth or adoption.
  • Getting married.
  • Applicant or dependent lost minimum essential coverage due to termination or change in employment status.
  • Cessation of an employer's contribution toward an employee or dependents coverage.

Can you backdate health insurance coverage?

Retroactive Coverage: Some health insurance plans may offer retroactive coverage under specific circumstances. For instance, if you applied for coverage and were approved but had a gap during which you received medical services, your insurer might cover those expenses once your policy becomes active.

Is spouse losing job a qualifying life event?

Yes. If a spouse quits or is fired from their job, this is considered a qualifying life event and both spouses are eligible for a special enrollment period.

Do I lose my parents' insurance the day I turn 26 blue cross blue shield?

Plans and issuers that offer dependent coverage must offer coverage to enrollees' adult children until age 26, even if the young adult no longer lives with his or her parents, is not a dependent on a parent's tax return, or is no longer a student.

What is a non qualifying life policy?

Non-qualifying policies tend to be policies which are funded by a single premium rather than regular contributions. They are much more likely to give rise to tax consequences when they mature. We explain how to work out if tax on non-qualifying policies is due below.

Is getting pregnant a qualifying life event?

Though this varies by state, in most cases, getting pregnant is not considered a qualifying life event. But don't worry – if your prenatal care is provided in-network, your current insurance should cover it.

Can I refuse health insurance from my employer and get Obamacare?

Obamacare is available to everyone, whether or not their employers offer insurance. From a practical standpoint, though, there are financial consequences to doing this. Often, an employer subsidizes part or all of their employees' coverage.

Can you have Medicaid and marketplace insurance at the same time?

Keeping both Marketplace and Medicaid and CHIP

If you have qualifying health coverage through Medicaid or CHIP coverage, you'll pay full price for your Marketplace plan premium and covered services.

How to prove qualifying life event?

Documentation you can submit to prove your QLE
  1. Crib tag from the hospital.
  2. Newborn's Hospital wrist band.
  3. Hospital discharge papers.
  4. Hospital certificate with footprints.
  5. Official Birth Certificate (if received within 30 days of the birth)
  6. Notice of Legal Adoption (Official fully-executed legal document required)

How far can you backdate insurance?

Depending on your state's laws, you may be able to request that your insurance company backdate a life insurance policy, typically up to 6 months. However, it will be up to your insurance company to decide if they're willing to do it.

Can I use my health insurance before it starts?

Your health insurance coverage start date—also called your plan's “effective date”—is the day your insurance company will begin helping to pay for your medical expenses. Before that date, they won't. In most cases, your effective date isn't immediate.

Does quitting your job count as a qualifying event?

Voluntary Job Loss – Resigned, Quit or Retired

One opportunity you have: Losing your health care coverage when you leave your job is a qualifying life event that makes you eligible for a special enrollment period.

Can you drop health insurance anytime?

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. However, you can typically only select a new health plan during the annual Open Enrollment Period. Open Enrollment is from November 1 to January 15 in most states.

Which of the following circumstances is not a hardship qualifying event?

Final answer: Buying a new car does not qualify as a circumstance for a hardship exemption for obtaining catastrophic health coverage.

Can a health insurance company refuse to insure you?

Insurers cannot refuse to pay for essential health benefits for any pre-existing conditions. Additionally, once you are enrolled, the plan cannot deny you coverage or raise your rates based solely on your health.

What is the best health insurance company to go with?

Best Health Insurance Companies for 2025
  • Best Overall and Best for Self-Employed: Kaiser Permanente.
  • Best Widely Available Plans: UnitedHealthcare.
  • Best for Low Complaints and Best for Chronic Conditions: Aetna.
  • Most Affordable: Molina Healthcare.