Marketplace Verification Guide
If you want Marketplace coverage outside of Open Enrollment, you must show proof—or risk losing your plan.
Let’s walk through what’s needed so you don’t lose time, money, or peace of mind.
The Problem
You Can’t Just Click and Enroll.
The Marketplace may offer affordable coverage, but getting that coverage often means proving you’re eligible—and doing it fast.
Whether it’s a job loss, income change, move, or immigration status…
you need to show documentation.
If you don’t?
Coverage will be denied or terminated—even if you’ve already picked a plan.
What Triggers Marketplace Verification?
Verification is required if:
You’re applying outside of Open Enrollment and say you had a life change
You report income that doesn’t match IRS records
You list a residency or legal status that can’t be confirmed automatically
Depending on who is in office, the rules may be stricter or more lenient, but proof is always required for:
Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs)
Income discrepancies
Legal residency
Loss of prior coverage
What to Submit
Loss of Coverage
You must submit documentation before we can help you enroll.
| Situation | What to Submit | Where to Get It |
|---|---|---|
| Employer coverage ended | Official termination letter with date | HR or employer |
| COBRA exhausted (after 18 months) | COBRA expiration notice | COBRA administrator |
| COBRA voluntarily dropped (before 18 months) | Not eligible for SEP (Ask us about alternatives) |
(Ask us about alternatives) |
| Medicaid/CHIP denied or terminated | Official denial/termination letter | Your state’s Medicaid portal or FL DCF |
Income Verification
| Situation | What to Submit | Where to Get It |
|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | Recent profit/loss statement OR signed letter stating income | Must match what you expect to make this year |
| Job change or reduced hours | Pay stubs or job letter | Include date of change and income amount |
| No income | Written statement confirming no income | Must be signed and dated |
Legal Residency Verification
| Status | What to Submit |
|---|---|
| U.S. citizen | Birth certificate or passport |
| Lawful permanent resident | Green card copy (front and back) |
| Visa holder | Valid visa with I-94 form |
| Refugee/asylee | Asylum/refugee approval documents |
If you’re unsure what applies, contact our team. We’ll help you understand what qualifies.
Special Enrollment Period (SEP) Quick Reference Chart
| SEP Trigger | Prior Credible Coverage Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Loss of job-based coverage | YES | Must have been enrolled |
| Divorce/legal separation | YES | If you lost coverage due to the split |
| Death of primary subscriber | YES | Applies if you lost access to their plan |
| Moved to a new county/state | YES | Must have had coverage in the last 60 days |
| Gained immigration status | NO | Can apply upon gaining status |
| Released from incarceration | NO | Eligible upon release |
| Turned 26 and lost parent’s coverage | YES | Must provide loss letter |
What Happens If You Don’t Upload Proof?
The Marketplace will terminate your plan—even if you’ve paid
You’ll likely have to wait until Open Enrollment (Nov 1–Jan 15) to try again
We cannot assist until the document is provided—we want to save you time and frustration
We help our clients submit documents to the Marketplace—but you must provide them first.
Alternatives If You Don’t Qualify
If you can’t satisfy verification requirements (or missed your SEP window), we may be able to help with:
Private PPO plans (non-Marketplace)
Medi-Share (faith-based cost sharing)
Short-term insurance (bridge until Open Enrollment)
Supplemental coverage (like accident or critical illness)
Let’s look at what you can do instead of going uninsured.
A Real-Life Reminder
“I lost my job and assumed I could just sign up for a Marketplace plan. But because I didn’t have a termination letter yet, my application stalled. The Mere team explained exactly what to ask my HR for—and once I had the letter, they got me enrolled same day.”
What To Do Next
Gather the right documents based on your situation (use the charts above)
Send them to our team—we’ll help you upload to the Marketplace
Watch for Marketplace emails confirming receipt or requesting more info
Final Note:
If you’re stuck or unsure, our team is here to help.
But remember—we can’t create your proof for you.
If coverage depends on a document, don’t delay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Because when you're trying to get coverage, the last thing you need is more confusion.
What is verification, and why does the Marketplace ask for it?
Verification is the government's way of confirming that you're eligible for a Marketplace plan. This can include proof of income, legal residency, or proof of a life event like losing other coverage.
If you don’t submit the right documents, your plan can be denied or canceled—even if you already paid.
I had a qualifying life event. How long do I have to enroll?
You have 60 days from the date of your qualifying event (job loss, move, marriage, etc.) to enroll.
But some events require that you had coverage beforehand—see our SEP chart for details.
What documents do I need to prove a loss of coverage?
A letter from your employer, insurance company, or COBRA administrator with:
Your name
Type of coverage
Date coverage ended
Reason coverage ended
Without this, we cannot complete your enrollment.
How do I prove my income if I’m self-employed?
You can provide:
A signed letter stating your estimated income
Invoices, 1099s, or a recent profit/loss statement
Recent bank deposits showing business income
We can send you a sample self-employment income letter if you need help.
What can I submit to prove legal residency?
It depends on your status, but acceptable documents include:
U.S. passport or birth certificate
Green card (front and back)
Valid visa with I-94
Asylum/refugee documents
We can help you upload your documents securely.
How long do I have to upload documents after enrolling?
Usually 30 days from the time your plan is selected. The Marketplace will email and mail you reminders.
If you miss the deadline, your coverage will be canceled—even if you paid the premium.
I didn’t get the Marketplace request for documents—what now?
Check your email (including spam), your Marketplace account, and your mail. If you're unsure, contact our team—we can log in and check your application status.
Can Mere Benefits submit documents for me?
Yes—but only after you provide them to us. We’ll help ensure they’re uploaded correctly and follow up as needed.
But we cannot move forward without your documents. This protects you from losing coverage.
What if I can’t get the documents I need in time?
If you're unable to get proof or don’t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, we’ll help you explore:
Private PPO plans
Medi-Share options
Short-term insurance
Supplemental coverage
We’ll also help you prepare for Open Enrollment so you’re ready next time.
Who do I contact to get my termination letter or Medicaid denial?
Employer/HR Department (for job-based plans)
Insurance company (for private or COBRA coverage)
State Medicaid/CHIP office (in Florida, this is FL DCF)
COBRA administrator (listed on your COBRA offer or bill)
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