In order to enroll in a Get Covered Illinois health plan outside of the annual open enrollment period, you must experience a qualifying life event (QLE). A QLE is a change in circumstances that may make you eligible for a special enrollment period (SEP), during which you may enroll into coverage through Get Covered Illinois.
Examples of common QLEs include:
- Loss of minimal essential coverage like job-based coverage or Medicaid.
- Change in household size (e.g. birth of a child, marriage); and
- Change of residence.
If you are enrolling in coverage through Get Covered Illinois for the first time, visit GetCoveredIllinois.gov and follow the steps below:
- Click on 'Enroll now'.
- Then, click 'Log in or create an account'.
- Once you've registered and logged in, click on 'Start New Application' and follow the instructions.
- When your application is complete, click 'Confirm Event and Shop' to report your QLE and enroll into coverage.
You generally have 60 days to report your QLE and enroll into coverage.