Frequently Asked Questions

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period starts January 1 and ends March 31 every year.  During this period this period, you can switch Medicare Advantage plans or leave a Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare.

Open Enrollment starts November 1^st for health coverage for the next plan year.  Coverage can start as soon as January 1st.  December 15^th is the last day to enroll in or change plans for coverage to start January 1st.  January 1st coverage starts for those who enroll in or change plans by December 15th and pay their first premium.  January 15th Open Enrollment ends and this is the last day to enroll in or change health plans for the year.  After this day, you can enroll in or change plans only if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.  February 1 Coverage starts for those who enroll in or change plans December 16th through January 15th and pay their first premium.

A time outside the yearly Open Enrollment period when you can sign up for health insurance.  You qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you have had certain life events, including losing health coverage, moving, getting married, having a baby (or adopting a child) or if your household income is below a certain amount.  Depending on your Special Enrollment Period type, you may have 60 days before or 60 day following the event to enroll in a plan.

When you apply you must attest that the information you provide on the application is true, including the fact that you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.  You may be required to submit documents that confirm your eligibility to enroll based on the life event you experience.

BCBS will term the dependent the last day of the month they turn 26.

No, the policy doesn’t terminate automatically because the individual turned 65.

No, if a member is cancelled in Blue Access for Employers “as of” the 13^th of the month their last day of coverage was the day prior.  For example: Jane Doe cancelled as of 1.1.2023, her last day of coverage was 12.31.2022.

BCBS will term the dependent the last day of the month they turn 26.

You must submit an application within 31 days of the birth of a newborn child for coverage to continue beyond the 31 day period or you will have to wait until the group’s open enrollment period to enroll the child.

BCBSIL 1095-B forms are available in Blue Access for Members.  Members can also call the number on the back of their ID card or can visit the BCBSIL web page TaxInfoIL.com

A Full Time Employee means an employee of the employer who is regularly scheduled to work a minimum of thirty (30) hours per week.

If the member has a Special Enrollment Period they may apply for or change coverage for themselves.  They must apply for or request a change in coverage within 31 days from the date of a Special Enrollment Event.  The member should refer to their certificate booklet for a list of qualifying Special Enrollment Events.

In general, the maximum period of coverage under Illinois Continuation (mini-COBRA) is twelve (12) months after the date the insurance stopped because your employment was terminate or your hours were reduced below the minimum required by the group plan.

IL State Continuation is available to the employee and eligible dependents who were continuously covered under the group plan for 3 months prior to the qualifying event.

COBRA requires that continuation coverage extend from the date of the qualifying event for a limited period of 18 or 36 months.  The length of time depends on the type of qualifying event that triggered the COBRA rights.  When the qualifying event is the covered employee’s termination of employment or reduction in hours of employment, qualified beneficiaries are entitled to 18 months of continuation coverage.