Washington Healthplanfinder today announced a limited special enrollment period for Washington residents currently covered under COBRA (the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) that will allow them to switch to a health plan offered on wahealthplanfinder.org until July 1. COBRA provides an opportunity for individuals who experience a job loss to purchase their employer-sponsored coverage at full cost.
The decision follows a May 2 ruling from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that allows COBRA enrollees to buy plans through the federal exchange until July 1.
“This is great news for Washington residents who are looking for important cost savings on their health insurance coverage,” said Richard Onizuka, CEO for the Washington Health Benefit Exchange. “While COBRA has been able to fill gaps in employer-sponsored coverage for years, many Washingtonians will now be able to save money by taking advantage of tax credits to lower their coverage costs through Washington Healthplanfinder.”
Typically residents qualify for a special enrollment period if they have lost their job-based insurance and have not yet accepted an offer of COBRA coverage, or if their COBRA coverage has expired within the last 60 days. Other examples of qualifying life events include getting married or having a baby. Residents have 60 days from the date of their qualifying event to enroll onwahealthplanfinder.org, otherwise, they may enroll during the next open enrollment period that starts on Nov. 15, 2014 for coverage beginning in 2015.
Those who qualify for Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) may enroll at any point during the year, as well as American Indians/Alaskan Natives who are enrolled members of a federally recognized Tribe or an Alaska Native Corporation.
“It’s important that residents are aware of their health insurance options after a job loss,” said Onizuka. “If customers have questions about switching from COBRA to a health plan offered on Washington Healthplanfinder, they are encouraged to work with one of our registered insurance brokers to ensure a more seamless transition.”
Residents who are currently covered by COBRA and wish to apply for a special enrollment should take the following steps:
- Complete an application on wahealthplanfinder.org
- If you are eligible for a Qualified Health Plan, you will be prompted to complete a special enrollment questionnaire; answer “no” to the questions provided
- Complete and submit an electronic request form at https://seprequest.wahealthplanfinder.org/before 11:59 pm on July 1, 2014
After completing the form, residents will be required to supply documentation verifying their eligibility, such as a COBRA election notice or documentation from a group plan indicating they are a COBRA beneficiary, before they are enrolled. Documents will be reviewed by Exchange staff within two to three weeks.
To reach Washington State residents who are losing their job-based insurance, Washington Healthplanfinder is also partnering with the Employment Security Department (ESD) to inform consumers of the opportunity to enroll in free or low-cost coverage. Residents who are receiving unemployment benefits will receive notices about their health options throughwahealthplanfinder.org. Staff will also have information on-hand in WorkSource offices across the state.
“Our team at Employment Security is pleased to deliver this critical health care information to job seekers and unemployment-insurance claimants,” said Dale Peinecke, Commissioner for the Employment Security Department. “Losing a job is overwhelming, and health care expenses can add to that burden.”
More information about COBRA and special enrollment periods can be found here: http://www.wahbexchange.org/files/6114/0259/5354/COBRA_FAQs_FINAL_140612.pdf
For more information about Washington Healthplanfinder, please visit wahealthplanfinder.org.
