Beginning Thursday, May 15th, Covered California will launch a limited –time special-enrollment period for people who have COBRA health insurance and would like to switch to an exchange plan.

People who have health coverage through COBRA will be eligible to shop for and buy coverage through Covered California from May 15th, thorough July 15th, 2014. The two-month window mirrors a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ruling announced May 2 that allows COBRA enrollees to buy plans through the federal exchange until July 1.

The Federal policy for the COBRA special enrollment period was approved amid concerns that notifications did not give consumers clear information about options in the new marketplace. HHS encouraged state exchanges to follow suit.

This newest category of special enrollment joins a host of “qualifying life events” under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that allow consumers to get exchange coverage durning a time when open enrollment is not available. Other events include losing coverage, having a child, getting married and moving.

For more information, contact us.