Does marrying my common law wife entitle me to a special enrollment period where I can change my coverage?

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Asked July 31, 2018

1 Answer


Marriage, including common law marriage, is considered a qualifying life event under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This means that getting married triggers a special enrollment period (SEP) for health insurance. You are allowed to enroll in or make changes to your health insurance coverage outside of the annual open enrollment period. If you have a health insurance plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace, you have 60 days from the date of your marriage to enroll in a new plan or make changes to your existing plan. If you have health insurance through your employer, the rules may vary, but you will generally have 30 days to make changes to your coverage after getting married. It's important to note that you will need to provide proof of your marriage to your health insurance provider to take advantage of the SEP. This may include a marriage certificate or other legal documentation of your common law marriage. It's a good idea to contact your health insurance provider as soon as possible after your marriage to understand your options and what documentation is required.

Answered August 1, 2018 by zenguy

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