Qualifying Life Events and Special Enrollment
If you have a significant life event, you may still be able to get or change health coverage from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan through special enrollment.
Are you eligible for a subsidy?
It depends on your family size, household income, and health insurance costs where you live. Learn more on our subsidy page.
Eligible events
- You quit, were fired or laid off from your job
- Your employer stopped offering benefits
- Your hours were reduced, causing loss of coverage
- Your COBRA benefits expired
- You're eligible for early retirement
Application deadlines
You can apply up to 60 days before your coverage ends, and up to 60 days after it ends. You'll want to apply as soon as possible to ensure that there won't be a gap in your coverage.
Required documentation
Identification
A Social Security number or tax ID number, and the date of birth for everyone who'll be covered by the plan
Method of payment
A credit card if you want to make your first payment
Proof of change in coverage
You'll need one of the following:
- A letter from your employer with the date your coverage ended and why
- A letter from your other health insurance company showing your coverage termination date
- Proof of your prior qualifying health coverage within the last 60 days
- Written verification from an agent or another health insurance company showing that your plan was canceled
- Current and previous pay stubs showing the reduction in work hours that caused your loss of coverage
- A letter from your COBRA administrator with the date your coverage ended and why
Eligible events
Application deadlines
You can apply up to 60 days before your coverage ends, and up to 60 days after it ends. You'll want to apply as soon as possible to ensure that there won't be a gap in your coverage.
Required documentation
Identification
A social security number or tax ID number, and the date of birth for everyone who'll be covered by the plan
Method of payment
A credit card if you want to make your first payment
Proof of coverage
A document showing prior qualifying health coverage within the last 60 days:
- For loss of Medicaid: Documentation from Michigan Department of Health and Human Services indicating the reason for loss and when coverage ended or will end, and letter from Medicaid or Children's Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) stating when coverage ended or will end
- For loss of student health coverage: Letter from school stating when student health coverage ended or will end
- For loss of coverage from a governement program: Letter or notice from government program, like TRICARE, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, or Medicare stating when coverage ended or will end
Eligible events
- You are getting married or got married
- You became legally separated from your spouse
- You got a divorce
Application deadlines
For marriage, in order to enroll in a new plan with your spouse, you must apply for health coverage within 60 days after your wedding date.
In a case of divorce or legal separation, you can apply up to 60 days before your coverage ends, and up to 60 days after it ends. You'll want to apply as soon as possible to ensure that there won't be a gap in your coverage.
Required documentation
Identification
A social security number or tax ID number, and the date of birth for everyone who'll be covered by the plan
Method of payment
A credit card if you want to make your first payment
Proof of change in coverage
For marriage, you'll need one of the following:
- A marriage license showing the date of your marriage
- A marriage certificate showing the date of your marriage
- An official public record of the marriage, including a foreign record of your marriage
For divorce or separation, you'll need:
- Divorce or annulment papers including the ending of health care responsibility
- Proof of prior qualifying health coverage within the last 60 days
Eligible events
- You gave birth
- You adopted a child or children
- You became a foster parent
- You became a legal guardian
- You now have a court-ordered dependent
Application deadlines
You must apply within 60 days of the birth, adoption, or date you assumed responsibility for the dependent's health care. This means you can apply up to 60 days before and up to 60 days after the date of the event.
Required documentation
Identification
A social security number or tax ID number, and the date of birth for everyone who'll be covered by the plan
Method of payment
A credit card if you want to make your first payment
Proof of event
You'll need one of the following:
- A birth certificate or an application for a birth certificate
- A foreign, military, medical, health insurance or religious birth record
- A signed adoption record
- A legal guardianship or home placement record
- A court or medical support order
- Signed foster care papers
Eligible events
Application deadlines
You can apply up to 60 days before your coverage ends, and up to 60 days after it ends. You'll want to apply as soon as possible to ensure that there won't be a gap in your coverage.
Required documentation
Identification
A social security number or tax ID number, and the date of birth for everyone who'll be covered by the plan
Method of payment
A credit card if you want to make your first payment
Proof of coverage
A document showing prior qualifying health coverage within the last 60 days
Proof of your move
You'll need one of the following:
- A lease or rental agreement, a mortgage deed, a moving company contract or receipt or a letter if you're living in another person's home
- A letter from another resident of the same state proving homeless or transitional housing status
- Mail from the Secretary of State, a financial institution, a government agency or a local nonprofit social services provider
- A U.S. Postal Service change of address form, a voter registration card, a pay stub with a residential address or a letter from your current or future employer
- A state ID, a green card, an education certificate, a visa or official school documentation
- A homeowner’s, renter’s or life insurance policy or statement
Required documentation
Turning 26
Identification showing the date of birth for everyone who'll be covered by the plan and proof of prior qualifying health coverage within the last 60 days
Death of policy holder
Death certificate or public notice of death and proof of prior qualifying health coverage within the last 60 days
Military discharge
Dated copy of military discharge papers or Certificate of Release including the date coverage ended or will end due to no longer active military service
Release from jail or prison
Document from the Department of Corrections, jail or prison indicating release or parole, including an order of parole, order of release or an address certification
Newly eligible for Advanced Premium Tax Credit
Documentation from the Health Insurance Marketplace or state-based exchange showing determination of eligibility and date
Materials violation of the plan contract
Documentation from the Health Insurance Marketplace or state-based exchange showing determination of eligibility and date
Unintentional, inadvertent or erroneous enrollment
Documentation from the Health Insurance Marketplace or state-based exchange showing determination of eligibility and date
Decertified or discontinued plan
Decertified or plan discontinuance letter
Eligible events
- You quit, were fired or laid off from your job
- Your employer stopped offering benefits
- Your hours were reduced, causing loss of coverage
- Your COBRA benefits expired
- You're eligible for early retirement
Application deadlines
You can apply up to 60 days before your coverage ends, and up to 60 days after it ends. You'll want to apply as soon as possible to ensure that there won't be a gap in your coverage.
Required documentation
Identification
A Social Security number or tax ID number, and the date of birth for everyone who'll be covered by the plan
Method of payment
A credit card if you want to make your first payment
Proof of change in coverage
You'll need one of the following:
- A letter from your employer with the date your coverage ended and why
- A letter from your other health insurance company showing your coverage termination date
- Proof of your prior qualifying health coverage within the last 60 days
- Written verification from an agent or another health insurance company showing that your plan was canceled
- Current and previous pay stubs showing the reduction in work hours that caused your loss of coverage
- A letter from your COBRA administrator with the date your coverage ended and why
Eligible events
Application deadlines
You can apply up to 60 days before your coverage ends, and up to 60 days after it ends. You'll want to apply as soon as possible to ensure that there won't be a gap in your coverage.
Required documentation
Identification
A social security number or tax ID number, and the date of birth for everyone who'll be covered by the plan
Method of payment
A credit card if you want to make your first payment
Proof of coverage
A document showing prior qualifying health coverage within the last 60 days:
- For loss of Medicaid: Documentation from Michigan Department of Health and Human Services indicating the reason for loss and when coverage ended or will end, and letter from Medicaid or Children's Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) stating when coverage ended or will end
- For loss of student health coverage: Letter from school stating when student health coverage ended or will end
- For loss of coverage from a governement program: Letter or notice from government program, like TRICARE, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, or Medicare stating when coverage ended or will end
Eligible events
- You are getting married or got married
- You became legally separated from your spouse
- You got a divorce
Application deadlines
For marriage, in order to enroll in a new plan with your spouse, you must apply for health coverage within 60 days after your wedding date.
In a case of divorce or legal separation, you can apply up to 60 days before your coverage ends, and up to 60 days after it ends. You'll want to apply as soon as possible to ensure that there won't be a gap in your coverage.
Required documentation
Identification
A social security number or tax ID number, and the date of birth for everyone who'll be covered by the plan
Method of payment
A credit card if you want to make your first payment
Proof of change in coverage
For marriage, you'll need one of the following:
- A marriage license showing the date of your marriage
- A marriage certificate showing the date of your marriage
- An official public record of the marriage, including a foreign record of your marriage
For divorce or separation, you'll need:
- Divorce or annulment papers including the ending of health care responsibility
- Proof of prior qualifying health coverage within the last 60 days
Eligible events
- You gave birth
- You adopted a child or children
- You became a foster parent
- You became a legal guardian
- You now have a court-ordered dependent
Application deadlines
You must apply within 60 days of the birth, adoption, or date you assumed responsibility for the dependent's health care. This means you can apply up to 60 days before and up to 60 days after the date of the event.
Required documentation
Identification
A social security number or tax ID number, and the date of birth for everyone who'll be covered by the plan
Method of payment
A credit card if you want to make your first payment
Proof of event
You'll need one of the following:
- A birth certificate or an application for a birth certificate
- A foreign, military, medical, health insurance or religious birth record
- A signed adoption record
- A legal guardianship or home placement record
- A court or medical support order
- Signed foster care papers
Eligible events
Application deadlines
You can apply up to 60 days before your coverage ends, and up to 60 days after it ends. You'll want to apply as soon as possible to ensure that there won't be a gap in your coverage.
Required documentation
Identification
A social security number or tax ID number, and the date of birth for everyone who'll be covered by the plan
Method of payment
A credit card if you want to make your first payment
Proof of coverage
A document showing prior qualifying health coverage within the last 60 days
Proof of your move
You'll need one of the following:
- A lease or rental agreement, a mortgage deed, a moving company contract or receipt or a letter if you're living in another person's home
- A letter from another resident of the same state proving homeless or transitional housing status
- Mail from the Secretary of State, a financial institution, a government agency or a local nonprofit social services provider
- A U.S. Postal Service change of address form, a voter registration card, a pay stub with a residential address or a letter from your current or future employer
- A state ID, a green card, an education certificate, a visa or official school documentation
- A homeowner’s, renter’s or life insurance policy or statement
Required documentation
Turning 26
Identification showing the date of birth for everyone who'll be covered by the plan and proof of prior qualifying health coverage within the last 60 days
Death of policy holder
Death certificate or public notice of death and proof of prior qualifying health coverage within the last 60 days
Military discharge
Dated copy of military discharge papers or Certificate of Release including the date coverage ended or will end due to no longer active military service
Release from jail or prison
Document from the Department of Corrections, jail or prison indicating release or parole, including an order of parole, order of release or an address certification
Newly eligible for Advanced Premium Tax Credit
Documentation from the Health Insurance Marketplace or state-based exchange showing determination of eligibility and date
Materials violation of the plan contract
Documentation from the Health Insurance Marketplace or state-based exchange showing determination of eligibility and date
Unintentional, inadvertent or erroneous enrollment
Documentation from the Health Insurance Marketplace or state-based exchange showing determination of eligibility and date
Decertified or discontinued plan
Decertified or plan discontinuance letter
Health plan advisors
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