Question: I moved from Texas to California in September. I was told that I could not buy from Covered California because I did not have health insurance in Texas. Can I apply now?

Answer: Yes. You can buy health insurance now during open enrollment, either through Covered California or direct from one of the insurance companies. You were previously denied by a new ACA rule regarding permanent out-of-state moves outside open enrollment periods. Starting July 11, 2016, if you move you will be eligible for a special enrollment period only if you had previously been enrolled in other coverage. The new rule is that you must have been enrolled in minimum essential coverage (such as a job-based plan, Marketplace plan, or Medicaid) for at least 1 day in the 60 days preceding the date of the permanent move in order to qualify for the permanent move special enrollment period.