Yes, you can change your health insurance policy at any time, but there are certain limitations depending on when you decide to make the switch. During the annual open enrollment period (OEP), you can make modifications to your plan as often as you want. After the OEP ends, you won't be able to make any more changes until the next OEP or until you experience certain life events that qualify you for a special enrollment period. Your current health insurance coverage may have benefits that may not be applicable to your new circumstances.
If you have an employment-based health insurance plan, you may have a different enrollment period than the federal open enrollment period to make changes. Employees can make changes to the mid-year plan if they have a change in qualifying living status that could affect their health insurance policy. Examining your health insurance coverage regularly can make a big difference in your health care coverage and costs, particularly as your life changes. However, unless you have a qualifying event, you cannot alter your health insurance deductible until the next enrollment period.
For instance, when you get married, you have 60 days from the day you sign your marriage certificate to make changes, such as adding your spouse to your health insurance plan. A change in your situation, such as getting married, having a baby, or losing health coverage, that could make you eligible for a special enrollment period, allowing you to enroll in health insurance outside of the annual open enrollment period. Health insurance changes are generally made at the beginning of the plan year, giving your employees time to consider their options during the open enrollment period. Short-term health insurance policies usually last less than a year and can be canceled at any time, such as after you enroll in a different option during the OEP.
If you want to offer a stronger health benefit to your employees, a medical reimbursement agreement (HRA) is worth considering. You can switch to an entirely new health insurance plan or insurer during the open enrollment period. Depending on when you sign up for a health plan, health insurance coverage usually begins on January 1 or February 1.While employers can make changes to their current health insurance coverage at any time, they must meet specific requirements to meet the requirements and avoid penalties if they do so outside of open enrollment. However, short-term policies are not subject to the regulations and rules of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which major traditional health insurance plans must comply with.
While in some cases it may seem like a good idea to make changes to your organization's health insurance policy, changing the employer-sponsored health plan outside of open enrollment could have some negative effects on the employees who participate in your plan.