Health insurance at your fingertips

Group health insurance coverage is provided to a group of people, typically through an employer or other organization, such as a trade association or union. 

Individual health insurance coverage is purchased by an individual or family directly from an insurance company or through the Health Insurance Marketplace. 

One of the main differences between group and individual health insurance is that group coverage is typically less expensive than individual coverage since the risk is spread across a larger group of people. Group coverage also usually includes a wider range of benefits, since the insurer is able to negotiate lower rates with healthcare providers due to the larger pool of customers.

Individual coverage may be more expensive, but it allows individuals and families to choose a plan that best meets their specific healthcare needs and budget. It also provides more flexibility in terms of changing or canceling coverage, since it is not tied to employment.

Yes, you can buy or change a health insurance plan during a special enrollment period (SEP) if you experience a qualifying life event. Qualifying life events include things like:

• Losing health coverage (for example, if you lose your job-based coverage or age out of a parent's plan)
• Getting married or divorced
• Having a baby or adopting a child
• Moving to a new area that has different health insurance options
• Experiencing a change in income or household size that affects your eligibility for financial assistance

If you experience a qualifying life event, you typically have a 60-day window to enroll in a new health insurance plan or make changes to your existing coverage. You can do this either through the Health Insurance Marketplace or directly with an insurance company.

It's important to note that if you don't experience a qualifying life event, you generally can't enroll in or make changes to your health insurance coverage outside of the annual Open Enrollment Period unless you qualify for a special circumstance exemption.

The waiting period before you can start using your health insurance coverage varies depending on the specific plan you choose and the insurance company that provides the plan. In some cases, coverage can start as soon as the next day after you enroll, while in other cases there may be a waiting period of several weeks or even months.

If you purchase your health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace, you will typically need to wait until the start of the next month before your coverage begins. For example, if you enroll on May 15th, your coverage will generally begin on June 1st.

However, some insurance plans may have longer waiting periods, particularly for certain types of services. For example, a plan may require a waiting period of up to six months for coverage of pre-existing conditions.

It's important to carefully review the details of any health insurance plan you are considering, including the waiting period for coverage, so that you have a clear understanding of when your coverage will begin and what services will be covered.