Commissioner Encourages Insurers to Open Special Enrollment Periods Parallel to Federal Marketplace

On February 9, 2021, Commissioner Afable issued a bulletin noting the announcement that the federal health exchange would open a three-month Special Enrollment Period (SEP) from February 15, 2021, through May 15, 2021. In this bulletin, the commissioner encouraged insurers to open special enrollment periods for health insurance products outside the marketplace. These enrollment periods must be open to all consumers. These parallel SEPs can only last for the same duration as the federal marketplace.

This information may be of use to employees who have not been able to enroll in other coverage. However, this SEP for non-exchange coverage would likely not give rise to a qualifying event that would allow employees to terminate their employer group health plan coverage. It’s also important to note that these private health plans often meet ACA requirements, but consumers would not qualify for premium tax credits in order to help pay for them.

Employers with employees in the state should be aware of this development.

Commissioner Bulletin 20210209 »