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Special Enrollment: Getting Married

Congratulations! Getting married is an exciting opportunity to start building a future with your spouse. If you and your fiancé want to update your health insurance after marriage, shop with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois during Special Enrollment.

What Documents Do You Need?

To add your spouse to your health insurance coverage during Special Enrollment, you'll need to have 2 different documents ready when you're enrolling — 1 showing your marriage date and the other showing proof of health insurance shortly before getting married. Make sure you have the following documents on hand:

1 document from this group:

Signed marriage certificate
Domestic partner affidavit
Civil union certificate

In most cases, you'll get these documents from the county clerk or recorder's office in the county you got married in.

And 1 document from this group:

Proof from your insurer or a benefits administration website, or a Certificate of Credible Coverage showing you had one or more days of Minimum Essential Coverage 60 days before you got married

To get these documents, reach out to your insurance carrier.

How Can You Enroll with BCBSIL?

Whether you're adjusting your current health plan, looking for something new or enrolling for the first time, you're in the right place. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois has many plans to choose from to fit your new family and budget.

Start Shopping

Important Tips & Information

Here are a few things to know before you start shopping:

You have 60 days after getting married to get a new plan.
You'll need to submit proof of your life event to enroll.
If you miss the deadline, you'll have to wait for Open Enrollment.
Changing your last name? You may want to wait to apply. Otherwise, you'll need to inform us once your name change goes into effect so we can update your information.

A man handing his insurance card to an employee

How Soon After Enrolling Does Insurance Start?

Normally, your coverage will begin the first of the month after you finish enrolling.

Your plan won't begin until you make your premium payment. To make sure your plan coverage starts as early as possible, make your premium payment when you enroll.

How to Get Health Insurance for You or Your Spouse After Getting Married

I don't have health insurance. How do I enroll?

If you don't have a health plan, you're in the right place. BCBSIL has many plans to choose from to fit your new family and budget. Let's get started.

Start Shopping
I already have a BCBSIL plan. How can I add my spouse to my plan?
You can add your spouse by updating your plan where you first enrolled:
- If you enrolled directly with us online, visit our shopping platform or call 1-866-514-8044.
- If you enrolled on the Illinois Health Insurance Marketplace, Get Covered Illinois, log in to your account.
- If you have health care coverage through your job, call your benefits or HR department.
What if my spouse or I don't qualify for Special Enrollment?

If you don't qualify for Special Enrollment, or you missed your enrollment deadline, you're able to shop again during the Open Enrollment Period beginning November 1.¹

Depending on your income, you may qualify for Medicaid or CHIP. There's no Special Enrollment period for those government offered coverage options – you can apply at any time.

If you're 65+ or have certain disabilities, you may be able to enroll in Medicare.

¹Members of American Indian and Alaska Native tribes can enroll any month, not just during open enrollment. You can even apply for cost assistance.

Last Updated: Nov. 06, 2024