Special enrollment
American Rescue Plan Act What you need to know
The American Rescue Plan Act, the latest COVID-19 Relief Package, is making health care coverage more affordable. Increased premium tax credits are now available to lower monthly insurance premiums. Depending on your income, you could pay as little as $0/month for a high-quality health plan!
You can enroll now during this one-time COVID-19 Enrollment Period that ends on August 15.
If you were also eligible for unemployment at any time in 2021, you could qualify for $0 health insurance, along with lower deductibles and copayments.
If you have questions or want to learn more, please call us at 1-844-891-0700 (TTY: 711) to speak with a licensed insurance agent, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Special Enrollment period (SEP)
SEP is a period of time outside of the Open Enrollment period during which you may be eligible to apply for an individual or family health plan. If you experience a qualifying life event, such as getting married, having or adopting a baby, losing your coverage, or permanently moving into a new service area, you may qualify for a SEP.
If you qualify for a Special Enrollment period, you may be able to apply for coverage that starts sooner. Here’s how to apply if you qualify for a SEP:
- If you are eligible for financial assistance, apply here.
- If you are not eligible for financial assistance, apply now.
When can I enroll during a Special Enrollment period?
A Special Enrollment period occurs if you have a qualifying life event. In most cases, you will have 60 days after the qualifying life event to enroll in or make changes to a health plan.
Certain life events, like moving into the Independence Blue Cross coverage area, allow you to apply for a health plan up to 60 days before a qualifying life event. If you are losing health care coverage provided by an employer, you will have up to 60 days before and after this qualifying life event to enroll in a health plan.
When you apply for a Special Enrollment period for the following qualifying life events, you will be sent an Eligibility Notice for Coverage.
This notice will include a list of acceptable documents you may provide to prove your eligibility for the Special Enrollment period. Please provide these documents by the deadline listed in the notice to avoid disruptions to your health care coverage. You must send the documents before you can start using your health care coverage.
How to apply during a Special Enrollment period
- View available plans for health coverage.
- Enroll online or call Independence Blue Cross at 1-888-475-6206 (TTY:711).
- If you are eligible for financial assistance, apply here.
- If you are not eligible for financial assistance, apply now.