With the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19), many people who do not have insurance are wondering if they can now enroll in a plan. Currently, individuals in states on the federally facilitated marketplace that use healthcare.gov are ineligible for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) as the federal government has not authorized a SEP due to the coronavirus outbreak. However, some states which run their own state-based marketplace (SBM) have elected to offer a SEP during this time to allow for enrollment. Here’s a list of what the SBMs are doing:
- California: general SEP now through April 30 due to their new state penalty for not having insurance.
- Colorado: through April 30.
- Connecticut: from March 19 – April 17 (enrollment by phone only).
- District of Columbia: general SEP for 60 days after a resident learns of the District’s new penalty for not having insurance.
- Idaho: nothing at this time.
- Maryland: through June 15th. Enroll by the 15th of a month & still get coverage effective the 1st of that month.
- Massachusetts: through May 25. For coverage beginning the 1st of the month enrollment must be completed by the 23rd of the prior month.
- Minnesota: through April 21 with coverage beginning April 1 regardless of enrollment date.
- Nevada: through May 15th. For coverage beginning May 1 enrollment must be completed by April 30.
- New York: through April 15th with coverage beginning April 1 regardless of enrollment date.
- Rhode Island: through April 30th.
- Vermont: for 1 month (March 20-April 20).
- Washington: through May 8th.
Obviously, this is a developing area, and we will update this list as we learn more.*
* Updated as of April 16, 2020
