How to renew or change SHOP health coverage for 2018
Your current SHOP health insurance plan won’t renew automatically for 2018. There are 2 new ways to renew that may be different from the method you’ve used in the past:
- Work with a SHOP-registered agent or broker: You can use the same agent or broker as last year, change your agent or broker, or work with an agent or broker for the first time. Just make sure they’re authorized to sell SHOP insurance.
- Through a health insurance company: Contact your health insurance company to renew your coverage.
Note: The renewal process for SHOP coverage has changed for plans starting on or after January 1, 2018. You can no longer renew or change your SHOP coverage through HealthCare.gov. Don’t log in to your HealthCare.gov account to select plan options, update coverage information, or pay premiums.
How to renew or change SHOP coverage
1. Explore your options
Before your current SHOP coverage ends, contact your insurance company, agent, or broker to see what plans and prices are available to you. Plan and pricing information is generally available 45–60 days before your renewal date.
Insurance companies may have different timelines for renewing coverage. When you contact them, be sure to ask:
- When you need to submit your completed enrollment for coverage renewal
- How much time you need to allow for employees to accept your renewal offer
- When you should pay your first premium for 2018 coverage
While you won't renew through HealthCare.gov, the website still offers informational tools and resources to help you renew. HealthCare.gov allows you to:
- Browse health insurance plans & prices
- Find an agent or broker near you
- Check out the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit Estimator to see if your business may qualify, and if it does, how much the tax credit could be worth to you
2. Make sure you still qualify
You may need to prove your eligibility for SHOP coverage through the new SHOP Eligibility Determination Form. This form only takes a few minutes to fill out, and you’ll get an instant determination. Just enter some basic information about your business, certify that you meet certain eligibility requirements, review your form, and submit.
Save your eligibility determination results for your records. Proof of SHOP eligibility may be required to enroll in SHOP coverage through an insurance company or to claim the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit.
Learn more about qualifying for SHOP insurance.
3. Enroll in coverage
Find a SHOP-registered agent or broker who can help you enroll. You can also enroll directly through your health and/or dental insurance company.
4. Pay your premiums on time
Work with your agent, broker, or health insurance company — not HealthCare.gov — to make payments.
Payment deadlines for renewing coverage may vary depending on your insurance company. Check with your agent, broker, or health insurance company for important payment deadlines.
Questions?
- See all SHOP tools, calculators, fact sheets, how-to guides, videos, and other resources for employers.
- Contact the SHOP Call Center at 1-800-706-7893 (TTY: 711) weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. Agents and brokers selling SHOP insurance can use this number too.
More Answers: How to offer SHOP health insurance to employees
- What if there are no SHOP plans available in my area?
You may still be able to enroll in a small group health plan through an agent or broker or directly with a health insurance company. However, it may not be considered SHOP coverage, and you may not be able to claim the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit. See what non-SHOP plans may be available to you at finder.healthcare.gov, or search for an agent or broker in your area.