In response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, the federal health insurance marketplace (Healthcare.gov) is accepting new enrollments in a special enrollment period (SEP) from February 15, 2021, through August 15, 2021. On March 23, 2021, CMS issued guidance on this opportunity in the form of frequently asked questions. (The extension was lengthened from the previously set extension to May 15, 2021.) This enrollment opportunity is open to anyone who is in a state that utilizes the federal marketplace and is otherwise eligible to purchase coverage. States that operate their own public marketplace may adopt a similar SEP, but they are not required to do so.
During this time, an individual is not required to have a recent loss of coverage or other triggering event (such as loss of employment-based coverage or marriage). It is considered an open enrollment period. The coverage will be effective on the first of the month after application submission and plan selection. If the individual has a special enrollment event that would permit retroactive coverage (birth, adoption, placement for foster care or pursuant to a court order), they must indicate such on the application.
If an individual is offered coverage through an employer that is considered affordable and meets the minimum value standard or if the individual is enrolled in employer coverage (regardless of affordability), the individual may still enroll in marketplace coverage, but they would not be eligible for a premium tax credit. As a reminder, employees can only drop employer coverage offered through a Section 125 cafeteria plan if they experience a qualifying event. The intended enrollment in marketplace coverage is an optional qualifying event permitting an employee to drop coverage mid-year, if the employer's Section 125 Cafeteria Plan Document allows for such changes.
Although this guidance affects individuals who may enroll in the marketplace, employers should be mindful of this extension.
HHS News Release » CMS SEP Guidance »
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