Special Enrollment
Open Enrollment has ended. You can still enroll for coverage if you have a qualifying life event that gives you a Special Enrollment Period. You will be required to provide proper documentation before your coverage becomes effective. Learn about qualifying events to see if you qualify.
Qualifying Life Events
Types of Qualifying Life Events (QLEs)
If you’ve had a QLE and submitted your application, please submit your supporting documentation so we can validate your eligibility for an SEP. You can:
Email items to: BCHPIND@BlueChoiceSC.com or
Mail items to: BlueChoice HealthPlan Attn.: MEMBERSHIP (AX-425) P.O. BOX 6170 Columbia, SC 29260-9915
Enrollment Period - Within 60 days after marriage
Effective Date - First of month following receipt of enrollment
Document Required -
- Marriage certificate
- Marriage license
Enrollment Period - Within 60 days of birth
Effective Date - Date of birth
Document Required -
- Birth certificate
- Hospital discharge papers
Enrollment Period - Within 60 days after legal adoption or placement in home
Effective Date - Date of adoption or placement in home
Document Required -
- Adoption papers
Enrollment Period - Within 60 days after court approval of legal guardianship/custody
Effective Date -
- Date of placement for adoption or placement in foster care
- Date of legal guardianship or legal custody
Document Required -
- Birth certificate
LOC due to:
- Job loss
- Divorce
- Loss of eligibility for Medicaid/Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
- Expiration of COBRA or decertification of a health plan
- Loss of eligible dependent status
Voluntary cancellation of coverage or loss of coverage due to non-payment of premium are not qualifying events
Enrollment Period - Within 60 days before or after termination of other coverage
Effective Date - First of following month following selection of a new plan or the loss of coverage, whichever comes first
Document Required -
- Certificate of creditable coverage
- Written notification from employer, insurer, Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program that coverage is terminated or terminating
- Divorce or separation decree
Enrollment Period - Within 60 days after court's order to provide coverage
Effective Date -
- First following month if enrollment is received on the 1st-15th of the month
- First or second following month if enrollment is received on the 16th-31st of the month
Document Required -
- Court papers
Permanent residency in South Carolina is also required
Enrollment Period -
- Within 60 days after naturalization
- Within 60 days after gaining legal residency/national status
Effective Date -
- First following month if enrollment is received on the 1st-15th of the month
- First or second following month if enrollment is received on the 16th-31st of the month
Document Required -
- Certificate of naturalization
- Federal government-issued proof of legal residency and one of these:
- Utility bill in member's name
- South Carolina driver's license
- South Carolina state-issued ID
- Voter's registration
Effective 7/11/2016, all qualified individuals/enrollees/dependents must have had qualifying coverage for one or more days in the 60 days prior to the move AND must be moving to a new county or ZIP that offers different health plan options.
Enrollment Period - Within 60 days before or after move
Effective Date -
- First following month if enrollment is received on the 1st-15th of the month
- First or second following month if enrollment is received on the 16th-31st of the month
Document Required -
- Proof of prior coverage and
- Proof of prior and new residence with any combination of these:
- Utility bill in member's name
- South Carolina driver's license
- South Carolina state-issued ID
- Voter's registration
Enrollment Period - Within 60 days before or after move
Effective Date -
- First following month if enrollment is received on the 1st-15th of the month
- First or second following month if enrollment is received on the 16th-31st of the month
Document Required -
- Proof of prior coverage and
- Proof of prior and new residence with any combination of these:
- Utility bill in member's name
- South Carolina driver's license
- South Carolina state-issued ID
- Voter's registration
You gain access to an individual coverage health reimbursement account (ICHRA) or are newly eligible for a qualified small employer health reimbursement arrangement (QSEHRA)
Enrollment Period - Within 60 days of becoming eligible for QSEHRA or ICHRA
Effective Date - First of the month following eligibility date of QSEHRA or ICHRA, or first of the month following enrollment, whicever comes first
Document Required -
- Written notice of QSEHRA or ICHRA eligibility from employer including eligibility date
The information above depicts certain QLEs and their corresponding effective dates, assuming the individual selects a plan and makes timely premium payment. Special Enrollment Period (SEP) coverage effective dates depend on the type of event, the date of request for the SEP and the date of plan selection. BlueChoice HealthPlan will require supporting documentation to validate enrollee eligibility for SEPs. BlueChoice HealthPlan is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.