Currently, with few exemptions, all individuals are required to have health insurance. Those who do not have coverage can expect to pay a penalty on their income taxes. Generally, individuals can only sign up for health insurance during the open enrollment period, which only happens once a year (generally during the 4th quarter). However, those with qualifying events, such as marriage or termination of employment, may apply for coverage within 60 days of the event.

Qualifying Events

  • You, or someone in your family, has:
    • Married someone
    • Had a baby
    • Adopted a child, or had a child placed for adoption
  • You, or someone in your family, has lost minimum essential health insurance through job loss, divorce, expiration of COBRA coverage, or other, similar situations
  • You, or someone in your family, has lost eligibility for Medicaid (AHCCCS) or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
  • You have moved to a new home in an area with different health plan options
  • You, or someone in your family, no longer have access to health insurance that is considered “affordable” under federal law, or which provides “minimum value”
  • There was an error in the enrollment process for your current plan (as defined in federal law)
  • Your plan or issuer has substantially violated a material provision in the current plan
  • You, or someone in your family, has become eligible or ineligible for federal financial help to pay for health insurance or health care costs due to a change in income