Outside of Open Enrollment, you generally need a qualifying life event (QLE) to enroll in a new health insurance plan.
Can I enroll in a new plan anytime?
No. Most health insurance enrollment occurs during Open Enrollment.
Outside of Open Enrollment, a qualifying life event is typically required.
What is a qualifying life event?
Common examples include:
Loss of health coverage
Marriage
Divorce
Birth of a child
Adoption
Certain employment changes
Becoming newly eligible for an ICHRA
Eligibility depends on the specific event and timing.
What if I have a qualifying life event?
You have a 60-day window — before or after the qualifying life event — to enroll in a new plan through a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). To get started:
Log in to your Take Command portal and go to the Health Insurance section.
Look for “Have a Qualifying Life Event” or “Shop for Health Insurance” and select the option that appears.
Upload documentation verifying your qualifying life event.
Browse available plans and submit your enrollment.
You will need to provide documentation verifying your qualifying life event. Common examples include:
Employer letter or COBRA notice confirming loss of job-based coverage
Marriage certificate
Birth certificate, hospital birth record, or adoption paperwork
Divorce decree showing loss of dependent coverage
Lease agreement or utility bill showing a new address, plus proof of prior qualifying coverage within 60 days
What if the shopping option is not visible in my portal?
If you have a qualifying life event but “Have a Qualifying Life Event” or “Shop for Health Insurance” is not visible in your portal, this is a backend configuration issue — browser troubleshooting will not resolve it.
Contact Customer Experience and include your qualifying life event, the date it occurred, and a screenshot of your Health Insurance section.
What if I do not have a qualifying life event?
If no qualifying life event applies, your options include:
Wait until the next Open Enrollment Period to enroll in a new plan.
COBRA continuation coverage — if you recently lost job-based coverage, you may be eligible to continue that plan for a limited time. Take Command does not administer COBRA; contact your former employer or plan administrator.
Short-term health plans — available outside of Open Enrollment, but these may not be reimbursable under QSEHRA and typically offer more limited coverage.
Does canceling my current plan automatically qualify me?
No. Voluntarily canceling health insurance generally does not create a Special Enrollment Period.
If you previously waived coverage in the portal, your ability to shop may also be locked until the next Open Enrollment period or a qualifying life event. Contact Customer Experience to confirm your options.
Who should I contact?
Contact Take Command Customer Experience (CX) if you have questions about enrollment options or qualifying life events.