Renew your health insurance
When you renew your health insurance, you are re-enrolling in a plan that can help you stay healthy and provide access to care when you need it. It's important to review any plan changes during your annual renewal period and renew your coverage during Open Enrollment. Renewing on time can help you maintain continuous coverage and avoid gaps in care.
With UPMC Health Plan, re-enrollment is easy. Our team can answer your health insurance questions and support you through every step of the process.
What does it mean to renew health insurance?
Health insurance renewal is the process of continuing your healthcare coverage for the next plan year. Depending on your situation, your coverage may automatically be renewed, or you may need to review your options and select a plan during the annual Open Enrollment period.
Automatic renewal happens when you take no action during Open Enrollment and, if you are eligible, you are re-enrolled in the same plan. You may be moved to a similar plan if your current plan is no longer available.
Active renewal means you must review your current coverage and select a plan during Open Enrollment. You can choose to keep your current plan or enroll in a different one.
When do you need to renew your health insurance?
The annual Open Enrollment period typically runs from Nov. 1 through Jan. 15. This is when most people renew their health insurance coverage for the next year. If you experience a qualifying life event—such as getting married or having a baby—you may qualify for a special enrollment period and be able to enroll in or change coverage outside of Open Enrollment.
It's important to meet the renewal deadline to avoid losing your coverage.
How to renew your health insurance plan
Renewing your health insurance on time is important. Taking these steps can help you keep to your UPMC Health Plan coverage in the coming year.
- Review your current plan and coverage needs.
- Compare available plans to select the option that is right for you.
- Check for changes in premiums, benefits, or network.
- Update your household information, including your address, income, and family size, if anything has changed.
- Confirm your plan selection and enroll before the deadline.
Managing Your Health Plan: FAQs
How do I renew my health insurance coverage?
These steps can help guide you through the renewal process:
1. Review your current coverage and any changes to your plan.
2. Update your household information—such as your address, income, and family size—if anything has changed.
3. Compare your plan options to make sure you choose the coverage that is right for your family.
4. Complete your health insurance renewal before the annual Open Enrollment deadline. Keep in mind that enrollment dates may change from year to year.
5. Pay your premium, if required, to continue your coverage.
When is the deadline to renew my plan?
You must renew your health insurance before the Jan. 15 Open Enrollment deadline. Missing the deadline may limit your ability to choose a different plan or update information that could affect your financial assistance.
If you experience a qualifying life event after the annual Open Enrollment period ends, you may be eligible for a special enrollment period. In most cases, you have 60 days from the date of the qualifying life event to enroll in a new health insurance plan. If you are already enrolled in a plan and experience a qualifying life event, your options for changing plans during the benefit year may be limited.
Can I change my health plan after enrolling?
What happens if I don’t renew my coverage on time?
Deadlines for health insurance renewal are strict. If you miss the annual Open Enrollment deadline, you generally cannot choose a new plan or update the information that was used to determine any financial assistance. Depending on your situation, you may be automatically re-enrolled in your current plan or a similar plan for the next coverage year.
Meeting the deadlines can help ensure you have coverage that fits your needs.
What is a special enrollment period?
1Preventive care will be covered at 100 percent only when it is received from a participating provider and it is billed as preventive. A separate cost share may apply if additional medical services are received during the same visit or if your preventive care appointment becomes diagnostic in nature.
2Preventive medications on UPMC Health Plan’s Advantage Choice formulary will be covered with no cost share for members who meet certain criteria in accordance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010.
3Go to upmchealthplan.com/best for award information. For network access details, visit upmchp.us/networkaccess.
424/7 video visits are available to UPMC Health Plan members who are located in Pennsylvania at the time of the visit. The service is available to members of your household who are 18 years old or older. If further counseling is needed, the counselor may refer you or your household members to relevant community resources.
524/7 video visits are available only to UPMC Health Plan members who are in Pennsylvania at the time of their virtual visit. Members may select a UPMC provider, subject to provider availability and discretion. Members or the member’s parent or legal guardian must accurately verify their physical location and that they are in Pennsylvania at the time of the visit. Limitations may apply for members of administrative services only (ASO) plans who have opted out of coverage. A parent or legal guardian must be present during the video portion of the visit for children younger than 18. Providers employed or contracted by UPMC retain discretion regarding the treatment of patients ages 0-2. 24/7 video visits for children ages 0-2 are unavailable from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. in Pennsylvania.