All individual plans we quote are Medically Underwritten. This means you must complete a medical questionnaire and be approved for coverage. YOU CAN BE ACCEPTED, REJECTED OR HAVE YOUR COVERAGE LIMITED. Some companies may even alter premium rates to account for additional risk factors. These plans DO NOT GUARANTEE coverage. However, there are plans available to those unable to pass medical underwriting, but certain criteria must be met. 

If your employer group health plan or COBRA coverage is terminating, you may be eligible for Individual Portability Coverage. This coverage does not require medical health underwriting, and there is no pre- existing condition waiting period. As will be explained in more detail below, you may consider applying for Individual Portability Coverage if you are unsure about your insurability. You must apply for portability coverage within 63 days of the date your group or COBRA coverage ends. Should you fail to meet this deadline, you will be ineligible for portability coverage from ANY insurance company. 

You must meet specific criteria in order to quality for individual Portability Coverage. To determine your eligibility review the Eligibility Requirements list at the bottom of the page. If you would like more comprehensive information regarding Individual Portability Coverage, call 1-800-633-4227 and request a copy of publication number HCFC 10199. 

To be eligible for Individual Portability Coverage, your last coverage before enrolling in the portability product must be group or COBRA coverage. Your eligibility will end if you purchase ANY other type of health coverage, such as short-term individual coverage or individual conversion coverage to fill the gap between the termination date of group coverage and the effective date of portability coverage. 

The premium rates for portability coverage are higher than premiums for medically underwritten individual plans. If you are eligible for portability coverage, we recommend you purchase Individual Portability Coverage while your application is being processed for regular individual coverage (with lower premiums), because the underwriting process may take more than 63 days. Remember, to remain eligible for Individual Portability Coverage, your application must be received by the Insurance Company within 63 days of your group or COBRA coverage termination date.

Eligibility Requirements for Individual Portability Coverage

• Your most recent health insurance coverage was a group plan provided through an employer;

• You have at least 18 months of prior health insurance coverage, including any combination of group health coverage, individual health coverage, Medicare, Medicaid, AHCCCS, Champus, the Peace Corps, Bonafide Association plan, Indian Health Services or Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan;

• In the past 18 months, you did not have a break in coverage that lasted more than 63 days. Insurance waiting periods required by your employer and application processing are not counted toward the 63 day break in coverage;

• You are not eligible for Medicare, Medicaid or AHCCCS;

• You are not covered or eligible under any other health insurance plan. This includes group coverage through a spouse’s employment;

•  If you were offered COBRA, you must have accepted this coverage and exhausted it;

• You are a resident of the State of Arizona.

If you have additional questions or concerns about your eligibility for Individual Health Insurance Coverage, please feel free to call our office anytime at 623-435-8400 to discuss your options.