Individual and family health insurance is specifically tailored to those not covered by employer groups or organizations. Due to the continually rising cost of health care, it has become more important to provide health insurance for you and your family. And, effective January 1, 2014, the new Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires citizens to obtain health insurance or pay a tax penalty.
OPEN ENROLLMENT: The ACA established specific rules about WHEN someone can enroll in an individual health plan or state exchange (Covered California) plan. For coverage in 2015, Open Enrollment ends on February 15th. If you fail to enroll in a qualified health plan by the end of Open Enrollment, you may have to pay a penalty on your future federal taxes.
SPECIAL ENROLLMENT: If you experience a qualifying event during the year, you will have the option to enroll in a plan outside of the normal open enrollment period. You have 60 days from the event date to enroll in a new plan. Below are some of the more common qualifying events that individuals experience:
- Involuntary Loss of Minimum Essential Coverage because of a loss of eligibility due to:
- Legal separation or divorce
- No longer meeting eligible dependent status (such as reaching maximum dependent age)
- Termination of employment
- Reduction in employment hours
- Exhaustion of COBRA or CalCOBRA benefits
- Moving out of the service area of a health plan
- Gaining a Dependent through marriage, birth, adoption
If you have experienced a qualifying event, you can get an instant quote to review health insurance options. Get Instant Quote
For more information on qualifying events, please contact RealCare at (800) 939-8088.
We offer a broad selection of individual and family medical insurance plans ranging from less expensive plans that provide coverage in case of a major accident or illness; to plans that offer comprehensive coverage for all your healthcare needs.
If you find yourself without health insurance you can still get covered! Short Term medical plans can help you cover a major illness or accident. They are not guaranteed issue (some medical questions) and won’t satisfy the federal requirements for minimum essential coverage, but they will protect you against a catastrophic financial loss.
You can get quotes for Short Term medical plans online. Get Instant Quote
As an independent agency, RealCare Insurance Marketing can provide insurance plans from numerous health insurance companies. With the health insurance market changing frequently, we are always on the lookout for quality, service-oriented insurance companies for our clients. And, our experienced agents can help you navigate through what is often an overwhelming number of plans – to find the one that is right for you.