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ICHRA: How to waive coverage in your Take Command portal

This article is for employees offered an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA) through Take Command who choose not to participate in the benefit.

Written by Ryan H

You can waive ICHRA coverage by logging into your Take Command member portal and selecting the option to decline or “not participate” during onboarding or re-enrollment, and your waiver must be completed before the monthly cutoff date to avoid being enrolled for the next billing cycle.

How do I waive coverage through ICHRA?

You can waive coverage directly in your Take Command member portal during onboarding or re-enrollment.

Follow these steps:

  1. Log in to your Take Command member portal

  2. Start or continue the onboarding or re-enrollment flow

  3. Navigate to the Reimbursement Amount or coverage selection step

  4. Select the option to waive coverage or Not interested in participating

  5. Complete the remaining prompts to finalize your decision

  6. Submit your waiver before the monthly cutoff date For administrators managing bulk waivers, download the waiver template from the portal, fill it out with employee details, and upload it back into the system. Ensure all fields are completed before submission.

If onboarding is not automatically shown, you may access the waiver option through the Health Insurance or plan selection section. If you cannot locate the waiver form, request the direct link from customer support for assistance.

When should I submit my waiver?

You should submit your waiver before the monthly cutoff date, typically the 24th of the month, to ensure:

  • You are not enrolled for the next billing cycle

  • Your employer is not charged for your participation

  • Your coverage status is updated correctly

Late submissions may result in temporary enrollment or delayed processing. Waivers are effective from the date of submission and cannot be backdated.

What happens after I waive ICHRA coverage?

If you waive participation:

  • You will not receive ICHRA reimbursements

  • Your employer will not allocate a monthly allowance to you

  • You are not required to purchase individual health insurance through the ICHRA

  • Your waiver remains in effect for the plan year unless you re-enroll

You may still be eligible to enroll later if you experience a qualifying life event or re-enrollment period. For new hires in a waiting period, waiving coverage means declining it for the remainder of the plan year. Re-enrollment is possible during the next open enrollment period.

Can I join the ICHRA after waiving it?

Yes. If your situation changes, you can rejoin the ICHRA if:

  • You experience a qualifying life event (such as loss of coverage or change in employment status), or

  • Your employer allows re-enrollment during a plan update period

You may be required to submit new coverage documentation before reimbursements begin.

What happens to my Marketplace subsidies if I waive ICHRA?

It depends on affordability:

  • If your ICHRA is affordable → you are not eligible for Premium Tax Credits even if you waive coverage

  • If your ICHRA is unaffordable → you may be eligible for Premium Tax Credits if you do not participate

You must report your employer’s ICHRA offer to the Marketplace when applying for subsidies.

Do I need health insurance if I waive ICHRA?

No. However:

  • You will not receive employer reimbursement for health coverage or medical expenses

  • You are responsible for your own insurance decisions and costs

  • You may still choose individual coverage, spouse coverage, COBRA, or other options

Waiving ICHRA means opting out of employer-funded reimbursement support.

What should I do if I have technical issues?

If you cannot complete the waiver:

  • Try logging out and back into your member portal

  • Ensure you are using the correct onboarding or re-enrollment flow

  • Capture screenshots of any errors

  • Contact Take Command support for assistance

Scenarios Requiring Waivers

  • Mid-Year Waivers: Employees can waive coverage mid-year, but the waiver status is effective only from the date of submission.

  • New Hire Waiting Period: Employees eligible after a waiting period who waive coverage are declining it for the remainder of the plan year. They can re-enroll during the next open enrollment.

  • Ex-Employees: While optional, ex-employees can complete a waiver to formally remove themselves from the system and avoid future charges.

  • Ineligible Employees: Do not use the waiver form for employees who are not yet eligible. Keep them off the eligible roster to avoid billing. Once eligible, they can enroll and may receive retroactive reimbursement if they had insurance during the eligibility period.

Confirming Waiver Processing

After submitting the waiver form, the Take Command team will review the request and notify you once the process is complete.

Administrator Responsibilities

When submitting the waiver form, administrators must:

  • List employees individually or upload a spreadsheet using the provided template.

  • Attest that required notices were provided to employees.

  • Specify a reason for each employee’s waiver.

  • Retain signed records confirming each employee elected to waive the benefit.- Request the direct link to the waiver form from customer support if it cannot be located

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