CMS Announces Additional Special Enrollment Periods to help Individuals Impacted by Hurricanes in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

Agency provides extended special enrollment periods for 2018 Medicare and Exchange coverage

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced additional opportunities for individuals affected by the 2017 hurricanes in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to enroll in Medicare health and drug plans and health coverage through the Federal Health Insurance Exchange.  CMS is providing these special enrollment periods so that certain individuals and families who were impacted can access health coverage on the Exchange and have additional time to join, drop, or switch Medicare health and prescription drug plans.  CMS announced initial special enrollment period opportunities in September, this extends these opportunities through March 31, 2018.

Marketplace Open Enrollment ended for Florida health care consumers on December 31, after an extended period allowed due to the hurricane impacts on Florida and other areas.

Our Covering Florida Navigators are still working throughout the state and can assist consumers with contacting the Marketplace Exchange Call Center.  Our Navigators can also provide education and outreach to groups wishing to help in outreach efforts to those individuals and families who may be eligible for this extended opportunity.

For special extended enrollment program information in Spanish, click here: En español

Covering Florida Navigators continue to provide information and direct assistance to those Florida health care consumers who are or who may become eligible for health care coverage during the ongoing Special Enrollment Period (SEP) continuing through the fall of 2018.

SEP is a time outside of the open enrollment period during which you and your family have a right to sign up for health coverage.  Individuals qualify for a SEP if you have experienced any of the following life events, including, but not limited to, losing health coverage, moving, getting married, having a baby, or adopting a child. In most cases, the SEP is open for 60 days following the triggering event and everyone in the family will qualify for an SEP if any one member of a family loses their coverage.

Call Covering Florida today with any questions, you can reach us at 877-813-9115

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