Does anyone else feel like their Instagram feed was just a giant wedding album for friends this summer? While the Healthcare Hustlers love a good wedding, we also know they can put a huge dent in your wallet. That’s why we like to know our options when it comes to switching to a (possibly) cheaper health insurance plan.

First, sit down and review how much of your health insurance plan you actually use (check out our article on health insurance plans if needed) Many people make the mistake of signing up for the plan with the most expensive premiums, even if they rarely go to the doctor, because they believe this is the best plan. In reality, you want to choose a plan that matches your expected healthcare utilization so the benefits and premiums you pay align with the healthcare you’ll need. For more information about enrolling in the right plan for your healthcare needs, check out this article. If you aren’t utilizing the plan you are currently enrolled in, you might be able to change!

Below are some of the major “qualifying life events” that allow you to change your insurance plans.

Open Enrollment at your job. This usually happens between October and December, but varies by company. If you aren’t sure, email your HR department.
Losing your job
Starting a new job
Losing student health insurance
Losing eligibility for Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP
Becoming ineligible for your parent’s insurance plan at age 26
Getting married
Getting divorced
Death of a spouse or domestic partner
Having a baby
Adopting a child
Becoming a U.S. citizen

Note: The ACA Exchange plans have even more reasons for a Special Enrollment Period. For a full list of qualifying events for an ACA Exchange plan, click here.

Ready to change your plan?

Determine which healthcare plan is best for you based on your expected healthcare utilization and the premiums. If you want some help doing this, check out our open enrollment plan calculator.
Contact your HR for a plan through work, or go to healthcare.gov and click “Get Ready to Keep it/Change.” If you need to, check out this article about finding health insurance without an employer-sponsored plan.