3 Documents You Need to Get Health Insurance • Benzinga - Benzinga

Want to jump straight to the quotes? Compare here and find the cheapest premium with the best coverage.

Whether you’re looking for a health insurance plan during open enrollment or not, there will be a number of documents you need to present to sign onto an insurance plan. If the documents are required, you won’t be eligible for benefits until they are submitted.

These documents typically pertain to confirming your identity and are explained below. Having this information ready before you choose a health insurance plan can speed up the process of getting coverage and ensure that you don’t leave gaps between your plans.

Contents

1. Identification and Income for Health Insurance

To enroll in any health insurance plan, you must provide identification and proof of your income. Identification can be verified through documents that provide your name, date of birth and citizenship or imigration status.

Health insurance documentation regarding your proof of income involves your current income in addition to future income that could come from lawsuits or unemployment benefits. This income also includes the income of anyone who you live with. Health insurance companies ask for information on your household income to determine whether you qualify for any government subsidies when you shop for coverage.

You can use the following documentation to prove your identity. Note that for some types of documentation, you may need to provide multiple items to act as proof of your identity.

Driver’s license: Your driver’s license can be used as a sole document for proof of your identity, date of birth and citizenship. A driver’s license provides proof of identity, verification of your home address (as long as the license was issued within the last six months), proof of citizenship and confirms incarceration status (if this is necessary and as long as the license is not expired).

Passport: A U.S. passport is another document that can be provided to verify your identity, date of birth and citizenship. A foreign passport can also be used to verify immigration status. In addition, an unexpired passport can be used to confirm your incarceration status if it is necessary for your circumstances.

Certificate of naturalization: A certificate of naturalization is a document that proves that the person who is named on the certificate has obtained citizenship in the United States through naturalization. Naturalization is the process a person who was not born in the U.S. goes through when they choose to become a U.S. citizen. A certificate of naturalization can be used to confirm your identity, date of birth and citizenship.

Certificate of citizenship: A certificate of citizenship is a document that proves that someone who was born outside the U.S. was born to parents who are citizens of the U.S. This document does not grant citizenship; it simply confirms the person’s citizenship status. A certificate of citizenship can be used to obtain health insurance by offering proof of identity, birth date and citizenship status.

Proof of immigration status: Proof of immigration status can be provided in several different ways, including the aforementioned documents. In addition, some other documents that can provide this proof includes:

Green cardReentry permitEmployment authorization cardRefugee travel document Arrival/departure recordCertificate of eligibility for nonimmigrant student status Certificate of eligibility for exchange visitor status Notice of actionResident of American Samoa card

U.S. birth certificate: A birth certificate, aside from a driver’s license, is one of the easiest documents you can use to show proof of identity or citizenship. However, your birth certificate does not provide proof of your home address like your driver’s license does. This means that you’ll also need to include a document that states your current address.

Proof of Social Security number: There are several documents you can use to provide proof of your Social Security number (SSN), including your Social Security card, 1040 tax return, W2s or 1099s, pay stub documentation, military record, unemployment benefits or divorce decrees.

Verify your income: You must provide one document for each type of income you receive, as well as the income of anyone who lives with you. For proof of your wages, you can provide a 1040 tax return, a wages and tax statement, paycheck stubs or a letter from your employer confirming your income. Documents must be dated within four weeks of the date of your health insurance application to be considered valid.

Tax returns or records of earnings can be used if you are self-employed. You must also provide proof of any current or future unemployment benefits, private pensions or annuities, social security benefits, child support or alimony payments, veteran’s benefits, military pay, interest you receive on your cash accounts, dividends paid to you through your investments (even if they are reinvested automatically), royalties and any major financial support you receive from other family members.

Verifying your insurance status is necessary if you currently have active health insurance and are shopping for a new policy. You must provide certain documents to show proof of insurance. You can use many documents to prove your insurance status, including a current insurance policy document, certificate of insurance or insurance card, health insurance termination letter or Medicare card.

2. Documents for Children and Spouses

Documents for proof of marriage, pregnancy and adoption are typically used as a qualifying life event that allow you to enroll in a new or different insurance policy outside of the open enrollment period. These documents are also needed if you wish to add these individuals to the insurance policy when you get it. The following are proper documents that must be provided.

Birth certificate: A birth certificate can be provided to add your child to the policy. A birth certificate can also be used to provide proof of an adoption or legal guardianship.

Marriage certificate: A marriage certificate or a marriage license provides proof of a marriage. An official public record of the marriage, a marriage affidavit or a religious document can also be used as proof of marriage.

Proof of adoption: Proof of adoption can be provided through an adoption letter or record, foster care papers, child support or another court order, legal guardianship document, medical support order or a U.S. Department of Homeland Security immigration document.

Proof of pregnancy: Proof of pregnancy is only necessary if you or your spouse is currently pregnant. The documents that can be used for proof of you or your spouse’s pregnancy include a presumptive eligibility screen worksheet that indicates an expected delivery date, a statement from a medical professional with the expected delivery date or a women, infants and children (WIC) medical referral form including the expected delivery date.

3. Official Copies for Your Records

Individual insurance providers may not accept some verification documents, so make sure you determine what documents they do accept when you enroll in a health insurance policy. Keep all the original documents for your records and only provide copies as needed. If the provider needs the original documents, make sure it sends them back.

Compare Health Insurance Plans

Finding the right health insurance plan begins with research. Benzinga offers reviews and insights on the following health insurance coverage. Use the links below to start comparing your insurance options.

Signing Onto a Health Insurance Plan

If you recently lost your health insurance coverage, you should know there are a number of special enrollment periods that allow you to get health insurance outside of the standard open enrollment period. Moving, having a child, getting married or having a spouse die are all major life events that may qualify you for a special enrollment period. If you do not qualify for a special enrollment period and you need quick coverage, consider using a short-term health insurance plan to bridge the gap between policies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the steps to get health insurance?

asked 2022-02-07

Sarah Horvath

The steps to get health insurance are fairly straight-forward: First, determine how much and what type of coverage you need, then shop around and compare plans and premiums. After finding a plan that works for your needs and budget, you then submit an application for a health insurance policy. If you’re receiving health insurance through your employer, you typically only need to enroll during the enrollment period. However, there may be more steps for certain circumstances, so it’s important to do your research before you begin applying.

Answer Link

answered 2022-02-07

Benzinga

Are I-95 forms required for 2022?

asked 2022-02-07

Sarah Horvath

I-95 forms, otherwise known as the Crewman’s Landing Permit, show a record of arrival in the United States. It keeps track of when individuals arrive and depart the U.S. For someone enrolling in a health insurance plan, the form may be required to show proof of immigration status and identity.

Answer Link

answered 2022-02-07

Benzinga