Enrollment is the process of signing up for coverage during the initial eligibility window, annual open enrollment, or a special enrollment period triggered by a qualifying life event. Missing a window usually means waiting until the next open enrollment.
For HealthCare.gov, open enrollment generally runs November 1 to January 15. Enroll by December 15 for coverage starting January 1. Some state-run marketplaces use different dates, and a qualifying life event can open a special enrollment period any time of year.
Usually no. Most plans cover a spouse and your children to age 26. Parents, grandchildren, and other relatives generally cannot be added unless they are your tax dependents and the plan specifically allows it.
Yes. You can have two plans (for example, your own and a spouse’s). Coordination of benefits rules decide which pays first; the primary plan pays as usual, and the secondary may cover some of what’s left. It does not mean double payment.
Divorce usually ends a former spouse’s eligibility under the other’s employer plan. The losing spouse can elect COBRA (or state continuation) for up to 36 months, or use the special enrollment period it triggers to enroll in a marketplace or new employer plan.