If you go through a life event that qualifies you for Special Enrollment, you can update or choose a new plan. You normally have 60 days after your life event to pick a plan.
Visit our shopping platform to compare coverage options and their prices. Once you've found the right plan, enroll and make your first premium payment. Want to apply through the Marketplace? Shop with the New Mexico Health Insurance Marketplace at bewellnm.com.
How Do I Know if I'm Eligible for Special Enrollment?
If you go through a "qualifying life event," you're eligible for Special Enrollment. Learn more about some common life events:
Some common changes in your family that qualify you for Special Enrollment are:
- tener o adoptar un hijo, or gaining a dependent through court-order
- El fallecimiento del titular de la póliza
- Casarse
- Separación o divorcio de su cónyuge
Some common residential changes that qualify you for Special Enrollment are:
Mudarse a una nueva zona con diferentes coberturas o red HMO
Moving to or from a place you attend school, live or work as a seasonal worker or live in for transitional or shelter housing
Some common reasons for losing coverage that qualify you for Special Enrollment are:
Pérdida o denegación de la cobertura Medicaid o del Programa de Seguro Médico para Niños (CHIP, en inglés)
Cumple 26 años and losing coverage under your family member’s policy
Some common changes to your job or income that qualify you for Special Enrollment are:
Going through or changing your , losing COBRA coverage or other reasons
Cambio en los ingresos o el hogar
Ofrecimiento del empleador de ayudarle a pagar el costo de su cobertura (a través de un ICHRA o QSEHRA)
Having an annual individual or household income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level
Some other life events that qualify you for Special Enrollment are:
Su cobertura médica finaliza en una fecha que no es el 31 de diciembre del año de cobertura vigente
Hacerse ciudadano de los EE. UU.1
El incumplimiento contractual de una compañía de seguros médicos con usted
Becoming a member of an American Indian or Alaska Native tribe1
Tener algún error u otro problema al intentar solicitar cobertura
Can I Use Special Enrollment to Switch to a Better Plan?
Sometimes, a life change means a change in your needs. Special Enrollment is the perfect chance to update your plan to coverage that better fits your needs:
- Choose a plan with lower costs
- Explore plans with different benefits
- Add a dependent or a spouse to your coverage
Do I Need to Show Proof of My Event or Insurance Coverage?
Depending on your life event, you may need to submit some documentation.
These documents normally fall into 1 of 2 categories:
1. Proof of your life event.
These documents show when your life event was. A few examples are:
- A marriage license
- A birth certificate
- A letter from your employer
2. Proof that you had insurance.
Depending on the documents you submit, you may also need to send proof of insurance like a:
- Letter from your insurer
- Printout from a benefits administration website
- Certificate of Credible Coverage
What Happens If I Miss My Special Enrollment Deadline?
Can I still get insurance?
You normally have 60 days after your life event to enroll through Special Enrollment. If you miss that deadline, you may have to wait until Open Enrollment, beginning November 1.
You can also check if you qualify for Medicare o Medicaid plans. These plans are offered by the government. Eligibility is based on age, income or disability.
Additional Questions
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I missed my premium payment and lost my healthcare coverage. Is this a qualifying life event?
Missing your premium payment normally isn't a life event that qualifies you for Special Enrollment.
If you still want to enroll in an Individual and Family health insurance plan, you'll likely have to wait until Open Enrollment. Open Enrollment begins every November 1. You don't need to go through a life event to enroll during Open Enrollment.
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Can I change my health insurance plan after I complete Special Enrollment?
Once you've submitted your application and made your premium payment, you can't choose a different plan through Special Enrollment.
You can update certain details of your plan, like your primary care provider (PCP).
If you want a different plan than you selected, you can update your coverage during Open Enrollment. Open Enrollment begins every year on November 1.
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I'm not happy with my insurance provider. Can I switch to BCBSNM during Special Enrollment?
You can! If you've gone through a life event that qualifies you for Special Enrollment, you can choose a new insurance provider, like BCBSNM. Shop with us to find a plan that better fits your needs.
If you don't qualify for Special Enrollment, you'll be able to update your plan starting November 1 during Open Enrollment.
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Do I have to re-enroll in my BCBSNM plan during 2024 Open Enrollment?
If you're happy with the plan you chose during your Special Enrollment Period, there's nothing you need to do during Open Enrollment. Just continue making your premium payments for your coverage to stay active.
If you have updates to your coverage, like adding dependents, you should make those changes during Open Enrollment.
Please note, your plan costs and benefits may change for the new year.