Frequently Asked Questions

A QLE is a major life change that triggers a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). Normally, you can only buy health insurance during the annual Open Enrollment period (Nov 1 – Jan 15). A QLE gives you a temporary, legal pass to enroll in or change your health insurance plan mid-year.

You have exactly 60 days from the date of the event to enroll in a new ACA health plan. If you miss that 60-day window, the door locks again, and you will have to wait until November.

Yes! Losing employer-sponsored health coverage is one of the most common Qualifying Life Events. You have 60 days from the day your old employer's coverage officially ends to pick your own individual plan.

It depends. If you already have an ACA Marketplace plan, a drop in your estimated income can qualify you for higher tax subsidies, which will lower your current monthly premium. However, a drop in income does not allow you to buy a brand-new plan if you were previously uninsured (unless your income drops low enough to qualify for Medicaid).

Only if your move physically changes your coverage area. Moving from Broward to Miami-Dade or moving from out-of-state counts. Moving down the street to a new apartment in the same ZIP code does not. Note: You generally must prove you had health coverage for at least one day in the 60 days prior to your move to use this QLE.

The Marketplace requires receipts. Depending on your event, you might need to upload a termination letter from your old employer showing loss of coverage, a marriage license, a birth certificate, or a utility bill proving your new out-of-county address.

Aging out of a parent's plan is a major QLE. You can actually apply up to 60 days before your 26th birthday to ensure there is zero gap in your coverage, or you have up to 60 days after your birthday to sign up.

Without a QLE, you cannot buy a comprehensive ACA Marketplace plan until the next Open Enrollment. However, you aren't completely out of luck. You can look into temporary short-term health insurance, Direct Primary Care (DPC) memberships, or Health Sharing Ministries to bridge the gap until November.

Absolutely. If your freelance business generates a net profit, the IRS allows you to deduct 100% of your medical and dental insurance premiums from your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) on Schedule 1 of Form 1040.

Usually, on the first day of the following month. For example, if you pick a plan and pay your first premium on April 15th, your coverage will actively begin on May 1st. (The major exception is having or adopting a baby—that coverage usually backdates to the exact day the child was born).