Question: Does an increase in rates qualify as a qualifying event to change insurance outside of open enrollment.

Answer: Just so you know, we're getting ahead of ourselves here. Covered California ) is months away from making a definitive ruling on this issue. However, I can answer your question with an educated guess because the ACA speaks to the affordability issue. For example, if you are offered employer-sponsored coverage in July and your contribution for that coverage exceeds 9.5% of your income, you can opt out of your employer's group and enroll in a qualified health plan through the Exchange and this could be done outside of the annual open enrollment period starting in October.