What is the timing – enrollment periods, effective dates, etc. for the Exchanges (also called the Health Insurance Marketplace or Small Business Health Options -SHOP)?

New York is participating in the State Based Exchange (SBE). Initial enrollment for the SBE is October 1, 2013 – March 31, 2014. If you enroll by December 15, your effective date will be January 1, 2014. Then, enrollment between the first and fifteenth will be first of following month, sixteenth – end of month enrollment is first day of second following month.

For Example:

If you Enroll Effective Date

October 1, 2013 - December 15, 2013 January 1, 2014

December 16, 2013 - January 15, 2014 February 1, 2014

January 16, 2014 - February 15, 2014 March 1, 2014

February 16, 2013 - March 15, 2014 April 1, 2014

March 16, 2014 - March 31, 2014 May 1, 2014

After 2014, the open enrollment period will run annually October 15 – December 7 for a January 1 effective date.

For qualifying events, if you enroll within 60 days (individual) or 30 days (small business) of said event, same rules apply for benefit effective dates.

Qualifying events are:

Losing coverage through your employer plan Aging off parent’s health plan at age 26 Your health plan loses Qualified Health Plan status Gaining or becoming a dependent Gaining or losing subsidy status Citizen status change Relocation out of health plan’s service area Enrollment errors of the Exchange

To read more, visit http://www.metroplus.org/MarketPlus/Exchange-Plans-FAQ