Affordable North Carolina Health Insurance After a Divorce
Major events in your life can make you eligible for the special enrollment period to purchase health insurance after the open enrollment period has ended. As a result, if you were previously covered under your spouse’s employer-sponsored health insurance or if you and your spouse purchased your own health insurance, you can change your plan.
Health Coverage Through Your Employer
Health insurance coverage through your employer may be your best option if they offer that benefit. Be sure to get details on the type of coverage they offer before enrolling, because provider networks are an important consideration before enrolling in any plan. Will you still be able to go to the same doctor? Do you need out-of-network benefits? Are your medications covered? If not, you might want to consider a private health insurance plan.
Health Insurance Options
If you aren’t offered health insurance through an employer, you may qualify for Obamacare subsidies in North Carolina.
Through Obamacare you have the option of purchasing health insurance at different coverage levels:
- Bronze – On average 60% of your health care expenses are covered.
- Silver – Health insurance subsidies are based on the cost of the second lowest-cost silver plan available in North Carolina. With the Silver level plan 70% of your costs are covered.
- Gold – On average 80% of your health care expenses are covered.
If you qualify for an Obamacare subsidy and decide to purchase a plan above the silver level, you will pay the difference between the credit amount and the higher plan.
It is important to remember that not all ACA health insurance plans in North Carolina have the same provider network. You can talk to a health insurance agent, free of cost, to get help finding a plan the offers the coverage you need, with the doctors you want. Our insurance agents can also help you through the subsidy application process.
The 60 Day Rule
After a qualifying life event like divorce, you have 60 days to enroll in a new health insurance plan. More importantly, after the 60-day mark you will have to wait until the next open enrollment period to purchase health insurance. Don’t wait to enroll!
Contact us today to take the stress out of your health insurance search!