Special Enrollment

The Affordable Care Act guarantees that almost everyone can get health insurance. In most cases, you can only sign up for a health insurance plan during the open enrollment period.

If you miss open enrollment, you may be able to enroll during the special enrollment period. To be eligible, you must have had a qualifying "life event" within the past 60 days.

What Is a Qualifying Life Event?

You have had a qualifying life event — and therefore qualify for the special enrollment period — if:

Your current health care coverage will no longer be offered after December 31, 2017.
You move to a new area that offers you different plans, or isn't covered by your HMO network.
You get married.
You have or adopt a child.
You lose other health coverage due to job loss, a decrease in work hours, end of COBRA coverage or other reasons.*
You become a U.S. citizen.
Your income changes, or some other event changes your income or household status.
You can prove that your health insurance company violated its contract with you.
You are no longer covered on a family member's policy because you turned 26, you have legally separated from or divorced your spouse, or the policy holder has passed away.
You become a member of an American Indian and Alaska Native tribe.
You experience an error or other complication when trying to enroll

If you have questions about your eligibility, call us at 1-800-531-4456.

How Does Special Enrollment Work?

In most cases, you have 60 days after the qualifying life event to enroll in or change your health plan. If you have insurance through your job, you may only have 30 days to enroll. You can enroll directly through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX). Or, if you think you qualify for financial assistance, you can apply on the Health Insurance Marketplace.

If you already have a plan and want to change it, you can do so on the Marketplace or with BCBSTX, depending on where you first enrolled.

When you sign up for or change your insurance plan during the special enrollment period, your coverage may not start right away. The date your coverage starts is based on your life event and the date you apply.

Open Enrollment Versus Special Enrollment

What Documents Do I Need for Special Enrollment?

To enroll in health care coverage during special enrollment, you'll need to show documents with the date of the life event. The documents you will need may vary from a government issued ID to an employer letter on company letterhead.

View a full list of required documents PDF Document .

What if I Don't Qualify for Special Enrollment?

Depending on your income, you may qualify for Medicaid or CHIP. There is no special enrollment period for those government offered coverage options — you can apply at any time.

Members of American Indian tribes can enroll any month, not just during open enrollment. You can even apply for cost assistance.

Start Shopping Now

If you qualify for special enrollment, start shopping now to compare BCBSTX plans and find the right one for you.

Start Shopping Now

* Please note that the following are not considered loss of coverage: voluntarily canceling your health insurance plan, having your plan canceled because you did not pay your premiums or because your plan did not meet the requirements set by the Affordable Care Act.

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