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Changing Coverage

When life changes, you may need to change your health insurance coverage

Know your options and the steps you need to take to change your health insurance coverage

Most employers let you sign up with a new health plan, cancel your current one or make changes to your plan once a year. This time is called "open enrollment." It is usually in the fall. However, you may be allowed to change or cancel your coverage at other times.

Losing group coverage is another matter. Is your COBRA coverage about to expire? Is a dependent on your plan about to lose coverage? Learn more about people who have lost group coverage.

Changes in your life 

You may be able to change your health plan or coverage if you:

  • Get married
  • Get a divorce or legal separation
  • Give birth or adopt a child
  • Lose your health coverage because your spouse or domestic partner lost his or her job
  • Lose your health coverage because your spouse or domestic partner died


Contact your company’s Human Resources department to learn more. If you are an Aetna member, you can also contact member services.

Losing a job

Losing a job usually means changes in health coverage. Find out when your coverage ends. If you have a severance package, ask if your benefits continue while you receive severance pay.
You may be able to:

  • Continue coverage under a law that lets you stay on your employer’s health plan for a period of time. This law is the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA). 
  • Apply for an individual plan. You buy these on your own. (When you were employed, you got your plan as part of a group through your employer.) Learn about our health insurance plans.
  • Join a government program, such as Medicaid. Whether you are eligible to join may depend on how much money you make.

Changing jobs

Starting a new job usually means new health coverage.
Some tips:

  • Don’t just ask whether your new employer has health insurance. Ask for details. Find out what's offered and what it costs. A person from your new company's Human Resources department can answer your questions.
  • Understand your rights. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) makes it easier for people to change jobs without losing health coverage. Visit the United States Department of Labor to learn more.

Graduating college

If you are starting a new job, check out the health plans available to you. If the company offers Aetna plans, ask the Human Resources department for information.
Maybe you haven’t found a job. Or the job you’ve found doesn’t offer benefits. Or you’re starting your own business. Maybe you want to travel before you start a new job.
You may be able to:

  • Stay on your parent’s health plan. Contact the employer’s Human Resources department for more information.
  • Apply for an individual health plan. You buy these on your own. Learn about our health insurance plans.


Legal Notices

Information for people who have lost group coverage.

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