During a Special Election Period (SEP), when does a member's coverage start after their election?

During a Special Election Period (SEP), a member's coverage typically starts on the first day of the following month after their election. This timing allows for an organized transition into the new coverage plan, ensuring all necessary administrative tasks can be completed.

The reason for this start date is to align with the standard practices of health insurance enrollment and coverage commencement. For example, if a member makes their plan selection in January, their coverage would begin on February 1st. This structured timeline helps both the insurer and the member to prepare for the upcoming coverage, ensuring that necessary services and benefits are properly arranged.

Other timeframes mentioned, such as immediate coverage or a delay of one week after the enrollment request, do not align with the established policies for SEPs, which are designed to provide a clear and predictable enrollment process. These options could lead to confusion and potential gaps in coverage, which is why they are not considered valid.