Moving States as a Freelancer: Your 60-Day Guide to Seamless Health Insurance Coverage
How Moving Affects You
As a remote worker or independent contractor, mobility is a professional asset. However, when you cross state lines, your health insurance usually does not follow.
A permanent move is a Qualifying Life Event (QLE) that triggers a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). This gives you a critical 60-day window to secure a new ACA-compliant plan in your new area. Failure to act swiftly means risking a gap in coverage, leaving your business vulnerable.
Step 1: Why You Cannot Keep Your Old Plan
ACA-compliant coverage is regulated at the state level. When you move to a new state:
- Your old plan must be canceled. It is illegal for a carrier to sell a plan in one state that is designed for residents of another.
- Your subsidy changes. If you receive the Premium Tax Credit, the amount must be recalculated based on the cost of living and the local benchmark plans in your new location.
- Network coverage ends. Your old HMO or local PPO network will only cover emergency services once you leave the state. Any routine or scheduled care will be billed as highly expensive out-of-network service.
Step 2: Activating Your 60-Day Special Enrollment Period (SEP)
Moving is one of the most common QLEs. Your SEP starts either on the date of your move or, in some cases, up to 60 days before the move, allowing you to plan ahead.
Your Action Plan:
- Do Not Cancel Immediately: Do not cancel your old coverage until your new plan is selected and approved. Aim to set your old plan's termination date to be the day before your new plan's start date (typically the 1st of the month following enrollment).
- Start a New Application: Log in to HealthCare.gov or your new state’s Marketplace site and report the move to trigger the SEP.
- Prepare Documentation: You will be asked to upload documents proving your move (e.g., utility bills, new lease/mortgage, driver's license with the new address) and proof of prior coverage within the last 60 days.
The Molli Health Advantage: Network Continuity
The biggest pain point during a move is losing access to your trusted doctors and specialists. This is where Molli Health's commitment to large, national networks provides a seamless transition.
The PPO Advantage in a Move
Traditional HMO plans force you to find a completely new set of doctors. Molli Health’s use of the Cigna National Network provides a crucial buffer:
- Network Overlap: Because the Cigna network is vast and spans many states, you stand a much higher chance of finding the same doctors, hospitals, and specialists in-network under a new Molli-affiliated Cigna plan in your new state.
- Reduced Disruption: While your specific policy number must change to comply with state laws, the familiar, large-scale network helps you maintain essential relationships and scheduled care without the stress of starting over.
Molli's Tip for the Transition: Before you move, use your Molli plan's digital tools to search the Cigna network in your new city. If you find your essential providers are listed, you can transition your care smoothly knowing that you have secured a new, compliant plan with familiar access.
Planning a move? Speak with a Molli team member before you finalize your moving date. We will guide you through the SEP process to ensure you minimize gaps in coverage and maximize your network continuity in your new state.
