With summer comes a season of change: Rising temperatures and longer, brighter days. And the winds of change may be blowing in your personal life, too. You might be graduating, moving to a new town, or starting a summer job.
Change can be exciting! But did you know that changing your school, job, or where you live can also change your health insurance coverage?
Navigating these changes can be confusing, and BeWell is here to help. We are New Mexico’s health insurance marketplace. Our goal is to help you stay covered, even when life is changing fast. Let’s look at some common summer changes and how you can get a great plan that fits your budget.
1. Leaving a Student Health Insurance Plan or a Parent’s Plan
Student Coverage
If you have a student health insurance plan, check with your school to find out when that coverage ends. Losing qualifying health coverage may give you a chance to enroll through BeWell outside of Open Enrollment. See how BeWell partners with Central New Mexico Community College to help students find affordable health insurance coverage.
Related: Read “5 Health Insurance Facts for College Students to Know”
Turning 26: Losing a Parent’s Coverage
Turning 26 can also give you a Special Enrollment Period. You can generally use this enrollment period in the 60 days before or after your 26th birthday. The date your parent’s plan ends may depend on the type of plan. Check the plan documents or call the insurance carrier before your birthday to see when your new coverage should begin.
Related: Read “Gen Z Guide to Getting Affordable Health Insurance”
Choosing a New Plan
Before you choose a new plan, take a few minutes to check:
- The last day your current coverage will be active
- Your estimated household income for the year
- Whether your doctors, clinics, and medicines are covered
- The monthly premium, deductible, and copays you may need to pay
You may qualify for financial help that lowers your monthly premium. Your savings can depend on your household size, estimated yearly income, and the plan you choose. The BeWell shopping tool can show an estimate, but you need to complete an application for an official eligibility decision.
2. Moving to a New House or Town
Summer is the most popular time of year to move. You might be a college student moving back home, moving from your pueblo to the city, or moving from another state to start a new life in New Mexico.
Whenever you get a new home address, your health insurance options can change. Your new local doctors and hospitals might not accept a plan that worked in another state or a different part of New Mexico.
Moving may give you a Special Enrollment Period to enroll in a new plan. BeWell may ask for proof of your new address. In some cases, you may also need to show that you had qualifying coverage for at least one day during the 60 days before your move.
Before you enroll, compare more than the monthly price. Check whether a plan includes:
- Your doctors and preferred clinics
- Nearby hospitals or clinics
- Your prescriptions
- The deductible, copays, and other costs you may pay when you need care
BeWell makes it easy to compare health insurance plans so you don’t get stuck with unexpected bills after you move.
3. Starting a Summer Job or Changing Employers
From hotels and restaurants to farms and outdoor parks, summer brings a lot of temporary jobs and seasonal workers to New Mexico. You might pick up a short-term summer job, switch to a new career, or you may get laid off or lose a job unexpectedly.
You may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you leave a job or lose job-based health insurance. The same may be true if your hours are cut and you are no longer eligible for coverage through work.
Starting a temporary job without health benefits or making less money does not automatically create a Special Enrollment Period. However, income changes can affect the financial help you may qualify for to help pay for health insurance coverage.
If your income, household, or job-based coverage changes, update your BeWell application as soon as you can. Contact a BeWell Certified Assister to help you understand how the change may affect your options.
Related: Read “Do I Have to Take Health Insurance from My Job?”
What Health Insurance Can Help Cover
All health insurance plans available through BeWell cover 10 essential health benefits. These include:
- Outpatient care: Treatment or surgery you get in a doctor’s office or hospital without staying overnight.
- Emergency services: Treatment in the emergency department.
- Inpatient Care: Treatment or surgery when you stay overnight in the hospital.
- Maternity and newborn care: Healthcare for your pregnancy and new baby.
- Mental health and substance use disorder services: Care that includes behavioral health counseling and addiction treatment.
- Prescription drugs: Medicine you can only get with permission from an approved provider.
- Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices: Services that help you improve daily living functions you lost when you were disabled, hurt or sick.
- Laboratory services: Checks of your blood, saliva, cells or urine to diagnose or manage a health problem.
- Preventive, wellness and chronic disease management services: Healthcare visits to help you stay healthy. For example, screenings, vaccines and checkups.
- Pediatric services: Healthcare for children, including oral and vision care.
Before you enroll, review your plan details and read the Summary of Benefits and Coverage. This document can help you understand what the plan covers and what you may pay for care.
Get Free Help from BeWell
BeWell offers free enrollment help from Certified Assisters across New Mexico. They can help you check whether a life change may let you enroll, compare plan options, estimate costs, and complete your application for health insurance.
Avoid a gap in your health insurance coverage. Schedule a free appointment with a BeWell Certified Assister or call BeWell at 833-862-3935 today.
