What to do if…
your employer or provider tells you your benefits or health coverage have been cancelled unexpectedly

What to do now

1. Protect any immediate medical need first.
   If you need emergency medical care, call 911 or go to the emergency room. Do not delay emergency care while checking insurance. If you need a prescription or other prompt care, tell the provider, prescriber, or pharmacist that your coverage status is unclear and ask what can be done while it is checked.

2. Ask for the termination details in writing today.
   Contact your employer’s benefits office, HR contact, or plan administrator. Ask:

   • which benefits were affected
   • the effective date of the cancellation
   • the stated reason
   • whether dependents were affected
   • whether a notice was sent and where it was sent
   • who administers each affected plan
   • whether there is a COBRA administrator, if health coverage ended
     Ask for an email or letter you can save.

3. Call the health insurer and confirm its current record.
   Ask:

   • whether your coverage is active now
   • the termination date shown
   • what reason is recorded
   • who submitted the change
   • whether a correction request is already open
   • how claims or prescriptions should be handled while the issue is reviewed
     Save the representative’s name, the date, and any reference number.

4. Ask the plan administrator for the correction route.
   Ask where to send proof such as recent paystubs, benefits-enrollment confirmations, screenshots, notices, or prior insurance cards. Ask when you should expect a written status update and whether any corrected coverage would apply to claims from the disputed period.

5. Check time-limited alternatives in parallel.
   Do this even while a correction request is open.

   • COBRA: Ask whether the plan and the reason your coverage ended qualify for COBRA continuation coverage. If you are eligible, the COBRA election period is generally at least 60 days from the later of the date coverage ends or the date the election notice is provided. Ask the administrator to confirm your deadline, coverage start date, and premium instructions in writing.
   • Marketplace coverage: Losing qualifying health coverage may create a Marketplace Special Enrollment Period. The window is generally 60 days before or 60 days after the loss of coverage. If Medicaid or CHIP coverage ended, you may qualify for up to 90 days after the loss. HealthCare.gov can direct you to the appropriate Marketplace.
   • Another job-based plan: Contact the benefits office for any spouse’s, parent’s, or other job-based plan you may be eligible to join. Loss of other coverage can create a Special Enrollment Period. Plans generally must allow at least 30 days after loss of other coverage. They generally must allow at least 60 days after loss of Medicaid or CHIP coverage, or a determination of eligibility for premium assistance under those programs. Ask that plan for its deadline and proof requirements.

6. Keep a simple record folder.
   Save:

   • emails, letters, and notices
   • screenshots showing the termination
   • paystubs showing deductions
   • bills and Explanation of Benefits documents
   • call dates, names, and reference numbers
     If a Marketplace application asks for documents, follow the instructions on the eligibility notice.

7. Use the appropriate help route if the issue is not resolved promptly.

   • For a job-based plan, contact the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration through Ask EBSA.
   • For an insurer-policy question, use the HealthCare.gov consumer-help page to find your state Consumer Assistance Program or Department of Insurance contact information.
   • For non-health benefits, ask the relevant plan administrator which review or escalation process applies.