Proof of Coverage is documentation that shows you are enrolled in a health insurance plan that qualifies as Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC), and it is required before your QSEHRA reimbursements can be approved.
What is Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC)?
MEC refers to health insurance plans that meet the standards set by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). To be MEC-compliant, a plan must include:
Coverage for essential health benefits, such as hospitalization, outpatient care, emergency services, maternity and newborn care, mental health services, and prescription drugs.
Preventive and wellness services.
No annual or lifetime limits on essential benefits. Examples of MEC-compliant plans include:
On-exchange major medical plans.
Medicare, Medicaid, COBRA, TRICARE.
A spouse’s group plan.
Combinations like short-term + MEC or indemnity + MEC plans.
What is Proof of Coverage for QSEHRA?
Proof of Coverage is any document that confirms you are actively enrolled in a health insurance plan that meets ACA Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC) requirements.
For more details, MEC-compliant plans must include essential health benefits, preventive services, and no annual or lifetime limits on these benefits.
Before reimbursing any expenses, Take Command must verify:
You are enrolled in qualifying health insurance
Your coverage is currently active
Your plan meets MEC requirements
Without valid proof, your QSEHRA reimbursements cannot be approved.
What documents count as Proof of Coverage?
Acceptable documents vary depending on your plan type. In general, we need documentation that includes:
Your name
Plan name and insurance provider
Current coverage status
A recent date (typically within the last 30 days)
Premium amount (if you are requesting premium reimbursement)
Explanation of benefits (EOB)
Insurance ID cards with a recent date
Steps to Submit Documentation
Log in to your Take Command portal.
Upload proof of your MEC-compliant coverage using the "Edit" button on your submission.
Ensure the documentation includes all required details (e.g., name, plan/provider, current date).
Wait for the compliance team to review your submission. You will be notified once the review is complete or if additional information is needed.
What counts as Proof of Coverage by plan type?
Individual Insurance Plan (Gold/Silver/Bronze major medical plan)
A monthly bill from your insurance provider, a screenshot of the confirmation page from your enrollment, an e-mail confirmation of your enrollment, your healthcare.gov confirmation page, or even a screenshot from your health insurance online portal will usually do the trick for proof of coverage. If you are claiming the premium for reimbursement, then we would also need to see how much you pay monthly toward that premium.
Ultimately, we’re looking for a document (or a combination of documents) that shows ALL of the following:
Your name - (the name of the HRA-eligible person - If you are not the primary insured then we will need to see that you are a covered dependent.)
The premium amount - (if you are claiming it for reimbursement.)
A current date - (a document dated within the last 30 days is considered current for compliance purposes.)
The name of the plan + provider (i.e.: Gold/Silver/Bronze 1234 with Insurance Companies logo)
Medicare Proof of Coverage and Reimbursement
Your red, white, and blue Medicare ID card helps confirm that you are enrolled in Medicare coverage. However, additional documentation is still required to verify the premium amounts for Medicare Part B and any supplemental Medicare plans you may have.
To request reimbursement for Medicare premiums, you can submit documents such as:
Monthly premium invoices
Social Security benefits statements
Annual Medicare premium letters
Proof of premium payments
If you have multiple Medicare-related premiums, you may combine them into a single submission as long as the coverage dates align. If different plans renew or end on different dates, separate submissions may be required.
Employer group plan (through a spouse or another employer)
A benefits election form, employer benefits letter, or screenshot from your insurer's online portal usually works. We're looking for a document (or combination) showing all of:
Your name
The plan name
Confirmation coverage is active for the current plan year (e.g., 2026)
Premium amount (if claiming reimbursement)
COBRA
A recent bill or statement, your COBRA election form, a screenshot from your insurance provider’s online portal, COBRA payment coupons, or proof of recent payment will work great. Ultimately, we’re looking for a document (or a combination of documents) that shows ALL of the following:
Your name
The plan name
A recent transaction date (within 30 days) that shows us this coverage is currently in place for current year specifically
TRICARE
You can provide a letter of eligibility from the Department of Defense or the insurance company, or you can provide your military ID card.
Medicaid
A letter or statement from a Medicaid agency dated within the last 30 days and outlining the coverage would work great! If you don’t have that, an ID card that includes a current year date and your name would work, as well. Ultimately, we’re looking for something that shows ALL the following:
Your name
Plan Name
A recent transaction date (within 30 days) that shows us this coverage is currently in place for the current year specifically
Individual or Preventative MEC plan
A recent bill or statement will usually do the trick, or you can provide a screenshot from your insurance provider’s online portal or proof of a recent payment. Ultimately, we’re looking for a document (or a combination of documents) that shows ALL of the following:
Your name
The plan name
A recent transaction date (within 30 days) shows us this coverage is currently in place for the current year specifically.
Student Insurance
A recent bill or statement will usually do the trick, or you can provide a screenshot from your insurance provider’s online portal, a letter from your university confirming your health coverage for the current year, or a benefits election summary. Ultimately, we’re looking for a document (or a combination of documents) that shows ALL the following:
Your name
The plan name
A recent transaction date (within 30 days) that shows us this coverage is currently in place for the current year specifically
Parents' Insurance
HRA regulations don’t allow for reimbursement of premiums for those who are covered by their parent’s plan. But good news! You can use your full monthly allowance for reimbursement of your medical expenses. Here’s a list of what’s eligible.
To show proof of coverage, you can provide a benefits election form, a letter from the employer providing the benefits, your ID card that includes your name & a current year date, or a screenshot from your insurance provider member portal will work great. Ultimately, we’re looking for a document (or a combination of documents) that shows ALL the following:
Your name
The plan name
A current year date
Common Scenarios and FAQs
What if my current plan isn’t MEC-compliant?
If your current plan does not meet MEC standards, you can purchase a separate MEC plan that provides preventive care. After purchasing, upload the documentation to your dashboard to enable QSEHRA reimbursements.
Do Freedom Life plans qualify as MEC?
No, Freedom Life plans do not meet MEC requirements. Employees with these plans must also have a separate MEC-compliant plan to qualify for QSEHRA reimbursements.
Why was my plan rejected as MEC?
Some plans, such as limited/indemnity, short-term, or "skinny" plans, do not qualify as MEC because they lack required benefits like preventive care, maternity, or emergency services. Changing the plan label in the system does not alter its compliance status.
What happens if my employer offers a self-funded MEC plan?
Under IRS rules, employers that maintain a group health plan, such as a self-funded MEC plan, cannot offer QSEHRA. Employees enrolled in such plans are not eligible for QSEHRA reimbursements.
Maintaining Eligibility
If your current plan ends, ensure you enroll in a new MEC-compliant plan (e.g., through a spouse’s Marketplace plan or an individual plan). Sharing ministry memberships do not satisfy MEC requirements. Upload proof of your new coverage to your Take Command portal to maintain eligibility.