Health Insurance Open Enrollment Checklist

Before You Apply, Have These Documents on Hand

When you apply for or renew your coverage this year, you may need to provide some information about you and your household. This may include:

 
  • Home and/or mailing addresses for everyone applying for coverage.
  • Information such as birth dates and Social Security numbers.
  • Document information for legal immigrants.
  • Information on how you file your taxes.
  • An estimate of your household income for the following year.
  • Policy numbers for any current health plans covering members of your household.

If you’re unsure what plan best fits your needs or how to apply/renew, it may be best to seek out a professional who can help you apply.

All Health Plans Must Cover the 10 Essential Benefits

All health plans, no matter the level, must provide some coverage for at least 10 essential benefits. They are:

  1. Preventive and wellness visits
  2. Maternity care
  3. Mental and behavioral health treatment
  4. Services to help people with injuries, disabilities, or chronic conditions’
  5. Lab tests
  6. Outpatient care
  7. Pediatric care
  8. Prescription drugs
  9. Emergency room services
  10. Hospitalization

In addition to the essential health benefits, all plans through the health insurance Marketplace cover pre-existing conditions and preventive services.

It’s Crucial You Don’t Miss Open Enrollment

If you happen to miss open enrollment, you can still get insurance, but you’ll need a reason to buy it. This is called a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). So if you moved, got married or divorced, had a new baby, changed jobs or are on the dreaded and expensive COBRA plan, then you qualify for SEP.

 

If you qualify for a SEP, you usually have up to 60 days following the event to enroll in a plan. If you miss that window, you have to wait until the next Open Enrollment Period to apply. Job-based plans must provide a special enrollment period of at least 30 days.

If you still fail to get health insurance, you will be subject to Obamacare taxes, which could be as much as 2.5% of your income.