Scenario: A consumer will be losing minimum essential coverage (MEC) next month. What is the correct coverage effective date following plan selection?

Scenario: A consumer will be losing minimum essential coverage (MEC) next month. What is the correct coverage effective date following plan selection?

• A. First day of the current month.
• B. First day of the next month following the last day of coverage.
• C. Last day of the month after next.
• D. Fifteenth day of the next month.

Answer: (B)

When you lose minimum essential coverage, you typically enter a special enrollment period and your new coverage starts on the first day of the month after your current coverage ends. Since MEC ends next month, the last day of coverage is at the end of this month, so the new plan would take effect on the first day of the next month. For example, if your current coverage ends January 31, your new plan starts February 1. Starting on the first day of the current month would be too early, and other mid-month dates don’t align with how marketplace plan start dates are set after MEC ends.

When you lose minimum essential coverage, you typically enter a special enrollment period and your new coverage starts on the first day of the month after your current coverage ends. Since MEC ends next month, the last day of coverage is at the end of this month, so the new plan would take effect on the first day of the next month. For example, if your current coverage ends January 31, your new plan starts February 1. Starting on the first day of the current month would be too early, and other mid-month dates don’t align with how marketplace plan start dates are set after MEC ends.